1 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 

GIFT  OF 


MABEL  R.  GILLIS 


A  LIST  OF  THE  ELSIE  BOOKS  AND 
OTHER  POPULAR  BOOKS 

BY 

MARTHA  FINLEY 


BLSIB  D1NSMORB, 

ELSIE'S  HOLIDAYS  AT  ROSBLANDS. 
ELSIE'S  GIRLHOOD. 

ELSIE'S  WOMANHOOD. 
ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

ELSIE'S  CHILDREN. 
ELSIE'S  WIDOWHOOD. 
GRANDMOTHER  ELSIE. 

ELSIE'S  NEW  RELATIONS. 
ELSIE  AT  NANTUCKET. 
THE  TWO  ELSIES. 

ELSIE'S  KITH  AND  KIN. 
ELSIE'S  FRIENDS  AT  WOO DB URN. 

CHRISTMAS  WITH  GRANDMA  ELSIS. 
ELSIE  AND  THE  RAYMONDS. 

ELSIE  YACHTING  WITH  THE  RA  YMONDS, 
ELSIE'S  VACATION. 

ELSIE  AT  VIAMEDE. 
ELSIE  AT  ION. 

ELSIE  AT  THE  WORLD'S  FAIR. 

ELSIE'S  JOURNEY  ON  INLAND  WATERS. 
ELSIE  AT  HOME. 

ELSIE  ON  THE  HUDSON. 
ELSIE  IN  THE  SOUTH. 
ELSIE'S  YOUNG  FOLKS. 


MILDRED  KEITH. 

MILDRED  AT  ROSELANDS. 
MILDRED'S  MARRIED  LIFE. 
MILDRED  AND  ELSIE. 
MILDRED  AT  HOME. 

MILDRED'S  BOYS  AND  GIRLS. 
MILDRED'S  NEW  DAUGHTER. 


C4SBLLA. 

SIGNING  THE  CONTRACT  AND  WHAT  IT  COST* 
THE  TRAGEDY  OF  WILD  RIVER  VALLEY. 
OUR  FRED. 

AN  OLD-FASHIONED  BOY. 
WANTED,  A  PEDIGREE. 

THE  THORN  IN  THE  NBST. 


MILDRED  KEITH 


MARTHA  FINLEY 

(  Martha  Farquharson  ~) 

AT7THOR  OF  "ELSIE  DINSMORE,"   "ELSIE'S  CHILDREN,"   "  OLD- 
FASHIONED  BOY,"   "OUR  FRED,"    "WANTED— 
A  PEDIGREE,"  «TC.f  ETC. 


"  She  Is  pretty  to  walk  with, 
And  witty  to  talk  with. 
And  pleasant,  too,  to  think  on." 

— BBKNNOBALT 


NEW  YORK 

DODD,  MEAD  &  COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 


Copyright,  187(1,  Dodd,  Mead,  &  Company. 


PREFACE. 


THE  Keith  family  were  relatives  of  Horace 
Dinsmore,  and  as  my  readers  will  observe,  the 
date  of  this  story  is  some  seven  years  earlier 
than  that  oi  the  first  Elsie  book. 

The  journey,  and  that  most  sickly  season, 
which.  I  have  attempted  to  describe,  were 
events  in  my  own  early  childhood.  The  latter 
still  dwells  in  my  memory  as  a  dreadful  dream. 

Our  family — a  large  one — were  all  down 
with  the  fever  except  my  aged  grandmother 
and  a  little  sister  of  six  or  seven,  and  "  help 
could  not  be  had  for  love  or  money." 

My  father,  who  waa  a  physician,  kept  up 
and  made  his  rounds  among  his  town  and 
country  patients  for  days  after  the  fever  had 
attacked  him,  but  was  at  length  compelled  to 
take  his  bed,  and  I  well  remember  lying  there 


4  PREFACE. 

beside  him  while  the  neighbors  flocked  into  the 
room  to  consult  him  about  their  sick  ones  at 
home. 

That  region  of  country  is  now,  I  believe,  as 
healthy  as  almost  any  other  part  of  our  favored 
land.  Such  a  season,  it  was  said,  had  never 
been  known  before,  and  there  has  been  none 

like  it  since. 

H.  F. 


MIIDRED    KEITH. 


Cjjapttr 


"  Weep  not  that  the  world  changes— did  it  keep 
A  stable,  changeless  course,  'twere  cause  to  weep." 

— BBYAOT. 

A  SPRING  morning  in  183- ;  winter's  icy 
breath  exchanged  for  gentle  breezes ;  a  faint 
tinge  of  yellow  green  on  the  woods  but  now  so 
brown  and  bare ;  violets  and  anemones  show- 
ing their  pretty  modest  faces  by  the  roadside ; 
hill  and  valley  clothed  with  verdure,  rivulets 
dancing  and  singing,  the  river  rolling  onward 
in  majestic  gladness  ;  apple,  peach  and  cherry 
trees  in  bioom ;  birds  building  their  nests; 
men  and  women  busied  here  and  there  in  field 
or  garden,  and  over  all 

•'  The  uncertain  glory  of  an  April  <jky.w 

The  sun  now  shining  out  warm  and  bright 
from  a  cloudless  sky,  now  veiling  his  face  while 


MILDRED  KEITH. 

a  sudden  shower  of  rain  sends  the  busy  workers 
hurrying  to  the  nearest  shelter. 

The  air  is  full  of  pleasant  rural  sounds — the 
chirp  of  insects,  the  twittering  of  birds,  the 
crowing  of  cocks— now  near  at  hand,  now  far 
away,  mellowed  by  the  distance ;  and  in  the 
streets  of  the  pretty  village  of  Lansdale,  down 
yonder  in  the  valley,  there  is  the  cheerful  hum 
of  busy  life  ;  of  buying  and  selling,  of  tearing 
down  and  building  up ;  neighbors  chatting  on 
doorsteps  or  over  the  garden  fence,  boys  whist- 
ling and  hallooing  to  their  mates,  children  con- 
ning their  tasks,  and  mothers  crooning  to  their 
babes. 

Out  of  the  side  door  of  a  substantial  brick 
house  standing  far  back  from  the  street,  in  the 
midst  of  a  garden  where  the  grass  is  of  a  vel- 
vety green  spangled  with  violets,  and  snowballs 
and  lilacs  are  bursting  into  bloom,  steps  a  slight 
girlish  figure. 

The  face  half  hidden  under  a  broad  brim- 
med  garden  hat,  is  not  regularly  beautiful,  but 
there  is  a  great  deal  of  character  in  it ;  the 
mouth  is  both  firm  and  sweet,  the  lips  are  full 
and  red,  the  eyes  are  large,  dark  and  lustrous, 
and  the  complexion  rich  with  the  hues  of 
health. 

She  sends  a  quick  glance  from  side  to  side. 


MILDRED  KEITH.  1 

clasps  her  hands  together  with  a  gesture  as  of 
sudden  pain,  paces  rapidly  to  and  fro  for  a 
moment,  seemingly  striving  after  self-control, 
then  turning  into  a  path  that  leads  across  the  gar- 
den to  the  hedge  that  separates  it  from  another, 
hastens  down  it,  opens  the  gate  and  passing 
through  looks  about  as  if  in  search  of  some  one. 

But  there  is  no  one  there,  and  the  girl 
trips  gracefully  onward  to  the  house,  a  pretty 
cottage  with  vine-covered  porches. 

The  parlor  windows  were  open  and  within 
a  little  lady  of  middle  age,  quaintly  attired  in 
a  chintz  gown  very  short  and  scant,  and  made 
after  a  pattern  peculiarly  her  own,  was  busied 
with  brush  and  duster. 

Catching  sight  of  the  young  girl  as  she 
stepped  upon  the  porch,  she  called  to  her  in  a 
remarkably  sweet-toned  voice, 

"  In  here,  dearie !  Just  step  through  the 
window.  I'm  glad  to  see  you."  The  windows 
opening  to  the  floor,  it  was  an  easy  matter  to 
obey,  and  the  girl  did  so  ;  then  stood  silent, 
her  lips  quivering,  her  eyes  full. 

"  My  child,  what  is  it  ?"  cried  the  older 
lady,  dropping  her  duster  to  take  the  girl's 
hand  and  draw  her  to  a  seat  upon  the  sofa,  "  is 
— is  any  one  ill  ?" 

"No,  no;  not  that,  Aunt  Wealthy!"  and 


MILD-ROD  KEITH. 

the  girl  swallowed  down  her  tears  and  spoke 
with  a  determined  effort  to  be  calm.  "But 
something  has  happened  and  mother  delegated 
me  to  bring  you  the  news. 

"You  know  father  has  been  talking  for 
some  time  of  leaving  Lansdale,  and  this  morn- 
ing, at  breakfast,  he  told  us — us  children,  1 
mean — he  and  mother  had  talked  it  over  last 
night,  and  I  don't  believe  she  slept  much  for 
thinking  of  it — that  he  had  fully  made  up  his 
mind  to  move  out  to  Indiana.  And  we're  to 
go  just  as  soon  as  we  can  get  ready. 

"  There,  now  you  know  it  all  1"  finishing 
with  a  burst  of  tears  in  spite  of  herself. 

For  a  moment  her  listener  was  dumb  with 
gnrprise;  but  it  was  not  in  Wealthy  Stan- 
hope's nature  to  witness  distress  without  an 
effort  to  comfort  and  relieve. 

To  lose  the  society  of  this  family  who  were 
her  nearest  and  dearest  relatives,  would  be  a 
great  grief  to  her.  The  mother,  Marcia  Keith, 
the  orphan  child  of  a  sister,  committed  to  her 
care  in  early  infancy  and  trained  up  by  her  to 
I  lovely  and  useful  womanhood,  was  as  a 
daughter  to  her — her  boys  and  girls  as  grand- 
children to  be  loved  and  petted  and  rejoiced 
over  after  the  custom  of  fond  grandparents 
What  a  bnely  old  age  for  her  without  them ! 


M1LDBBD  KEITH. 

That  was  her  first  thought,  the  next  how  to 
aseuage  the  sorrow  of  the  weeping  girl  at  her 
side. 

"There,  there,  Mildred,  dear,"  she  said» 
softly  stroking  and  patting  the  hand  she  held, 
"  perhaps  you  will  find  it  not  so  bad  after  all , 
there  must  be  a  bright  side  tc  the  picture  that 
we  shall  discover  if  we  look  for  it  determinately. 
There  will  be  new  scenes,  perhaps  some  adven- 
tures on  the  journey." 

"  Yes,  auntie,  very  likely ;  and  I've  often 
wished  I  could  have  some  adventures ! "  Mil- 
dred answered,  dashing  away  her  tears  with  a 
-ather  hysterical  little  laugh. 

"  You're  not  going  to  school  to-day  ?  " 

" No,  auntie,  no  more  school  for  me:  that's 
the  hard  part  of  it,  for  I  do  so  want  a  good 
education." 

"WeJ,  dear,  you  shall  have  books,  and 
your  father  and  mother — both  educated  people 
— will  help  you ;  and  who  knows  but  you  may 
in  the  end  distance  your  mates  here?  The 
knowledge  we  gain  by  our  own  efforts,  out  of 
school,  is  often  the  most  serviceable." 

The  girl's  face  brightened. 

"If  I  don't  turn  out  something  worth  while 
it  shall  not  be  for  want  of  trying,"  she  said, 
her  cheek  flushing,  her  eyes  sparkling. 


10  MILDRED  KEITH. 

Then  starting  up.  "  I  must  hurry  home ; 
fur  mother  and  I  are  going  to  work  with  might 
and  main  at  the  spring  sewing ;  and  then  at 
the  tearing  up  and  packing.  Aunt  Wealthy, 
I  m  glad  I'm  old  enough  to  be  a  help  ;  there 
are  so  many  younger  ones,  you  know." 

"  Yes,  Milly,  and  you  are  a  great  help  and 
comfort  to  your  mother." 

"If— if  I  could  only  learn  her  patience; 
but  the  children  are  dreadfully  trying — with 
their  untidy  ways,  their  mischief  and  noise. 
They  nearly  distract  me  at  times  and  before  I 
know  it  I've  given  somebody  a  shake  or  a  slap, 
or  if  not  that ,  a  very  uncomplimentary  piece 
of  my  mind,"  she  added  half  laughing,  half 
sighing. 

Then  with  a  hasty  good-bye  she  tripped 
away,  her  aunt  calling  after  her,  "  Tell  your 
mother  I'll  be  in  after  a  while." 

Miss  Stanhope  sat  where  the  girl  had  left 
her,  the  usually  busy  hands  folded  in  her  lap 
her  gaze  fixed  meditatively  on  the  carpet 
Presently  she  lifted  her  head  with  a  deep 
drawn  sigh,  her  eye  passed  slowly  about  the 
room  resting  lovingly  now  upon  this  familiar 
object,  now  upon  that. 

"  I  don't  think  they  would  sell  for  much/' 
she  said,  musingly :  "  the  carpet  has  been  in 


MILDRED  KEITH  II 

wear  for  thirty  odd  years  and  the  colors  have 
faded  a  good  deal :  the  chairs  and  tab.es  are 
older  still  and  so  are  the  pictures  on  the  walls . 
that  sampler  my  grandmother  worked  when 
she  was  a  young  girl — which  was  many  yean 
ago ;  and  these  chair-cushions  too  " — rising  and 
going  from  one  to  another,  giving  to  each  in 
turn  a  little  loving  shake  and  pat — "  she  em- 
broidered and  filled  with  her  own  feathers; 
and  so  I  value  them  more  than  their  weight  in 
gold.  Marcia,  I  think,  values  them  also,  but — 
to  a  stranger,  I  suppose  they  would  all  seem 
old,  dingy  and  worthless,  though  to  me  they 
are  real  treasures.  I've  a  sincere  affection  for 
them. 

"  But  what  is  that  to  my  love  for  Marcia 
and  her  children  I  what  indeed !  " 

She  hastily  picked  up  duster  and  brush, 
gave  a  finishing  touch  here  and  there,  drew 
down  the  blinds  and  left  the  room. 

A  few  moments  later  she  might  have  been 
seen  in  bonnet  and  shawl  and  armed  with  a 
.arge  cotton  umbrella,  issuing  from  her  front 
gate  and  walking  briskly  toward  the  business 
part  of  the  town. 

It  was  nearly  two  hours  before  she  re- 
turned, with  a  step  a  trifle  less  brisk,  and  arms 
filled  with  brown  paper  parcels. 


151  MILDRED  KEITH. 

She  passed  her  own  gate  and  stopped  al 
Mr.  Keith's. 

Mildred  ran  to  open  it. 

"  Why,  auntie,  how  you  are  loaded  !  Give 
me  your  bundles." 

"  Yes,  child,  carry  them  in  to  yonr  mother. 
I've  been  to  every  store  in  town  ;  such  beauti- 
ful remnants !  couldn't  help  buying !  make  up 
pretty  for  the  children ;  afraid  there's  none  big 
enough  for  you,  dear.  Am  all  out  of  breath 
with  walking." 

"  Yes ;  it's  too  bad  ;  don't  say  anything 
more  till  you've  rested,"  said  the  girl,  leading 
the  way  into  the  pleasant  family  room,  hastily 
laying  the  packages  on  the  table,  and  drawing 
forward  a  large  cushioned  rocking  chair. 

"  There,  sit  down,  auntie,  and  let  me  take 
yonr  things." 

"  Aunt  Wealthy  !  come  at  last  I  we've  been 
wondering  what  kept  you,"  said  a  handsome, 
matronly,  but  still  youthful  looking  lady,  with 
a  babe  in  her  arms,  coming  in  at  that  moment. 
"  And  you've  been  out  shopping  ?  I  hope  yon 
were  not  caught  in  any  of  the  showers  ?" 

"  No ;  I  managed  to  dodge  them  ;  sand* 
wiching  my  walks  in  between.  So  you  re 
going  to  leave  Lansdale,  Marcia  ?" 

"  Yes,  auntie ;  and  you ;  that's  the  worst  of  it' 


MILDRED  KEITH.  13 

The  cheery  voice  faltered  over  the  last 
and  the  bright  eyes  grew  dim. 

"  Not  so  fast,  Marcia ;  who  says  that  Fin  tc 
be  left  behind?" 

"Aunt  Wealthy!,  do  you  mean  it?  is  it 
possible  you  could  think  of  such  a  sacrifice  ?" 
cried  Mrs.  Keith,  starting  up  and  nearly  drop- 
ping her  babe  in  her  intense,  joyful  surprise 

"  As  what  ? "  queried  the  aunt  between  a 
smile  and  a  tear.  "  Marcia,  I  can't  give  up  my 
home,  as  yon  very  well  know;  but  I  have 
found  a  tenant  for  it  (the  minister  and  his  wife 
who  are  perfectly  delighted  to  get  it ;  for  it's 
their  only  chance  for  going  to  housekeeping ; 
and  they'll  be  sure  to  take  good  care  of  my 
furniture  and  other  belongings),  and  rented  it 
just  as  it  stands,  for  a  year ;  and  I'm  going 
with  you  to  Hoosier  land. 

"  It'll  be  quite  an  importation  of  Buckeyes, 
won't  it  ?  All  coming  in  one  lot." 

And  the  good  affectionate  old  soul  finished 
with  a  laugh,  jumped  up  from  her  chair  and 
stretching  out  her  arras  to  three  little  r  nes  who 
had  come  running  in  while  she  was  speakirg, 
caught  them  to  her  bosom,  kissed  and  cried 
over  them,  asking,  "Are  you  glad,  Cyril  1 
are  you  glad,  Don  ?  and  Fan,  too  ?  are  yon 
glad  that  auntie  is  going  with  you  ?" 


14  MILDRED  KEITH. 

There  was  a  chorus  of  shouts  of  delight; 
there  were  huggings  and  kissings,  asking  and 
answering  of  questions;  and  then  things  quieted 
down  a  little  and  the  children  went  back  to 
their  play,  Cyril  remarking,  as  he  shut  the  door, 

"  Now  I  shan't  cry  when  we  go  ;  'cause  all 
my  friends  and  eolations  is  goin'  along." 

"  Now  to  business,"  said  Aunt  Wealthy  at 
tacking  the  parcels.  "  I'm  going  to  help  you. 
Marcia,  in  getting  your  tribe  ready  for  their 
exodus  out  of  this  land  of  plenty  into  that 
western  wilderness.  Here  are  two  or  three 
dress  patterns  apiece  for  the  little  girls.  These 
stuff  ones  are  for  them  to  travel  in,  and  I  think 
they  had  better  be  made  long  necked  and  high 
sleeved.  Don't  you  ?" 

Mrs.  Keith  looked  up  with  a  slightly  puzzled 
expression  ;  then  a  light  'breaking  over  her 
face,  for  she  was  used  to  her  aunt's  transposi- 
tions— "  I  don't  know,"  she  answered  du- 
biously, "  wouldn't  it  make  them  look  a  little 
old-womanish  ?  Low  necks  and  short  sleeves 
are  prettier  for  children,  I  think ;  and  they're 
used  to  it.  Summer's  coming  on,  too,  and  we 
must  expect  warm  weather." 

"  What  route  shall  you  take  ?' 

"  Up  the  Ohio  and  Erie  Canal  and  round 
Michigan  by  the  lakes." 


MILDRED  KEITH  15 

"  It  will  be  cool  on  the  water." 

"  Yes,  that's  true ;  and  I'll  take  youi  ad- 
rice." 

"That's  right;  they'll  be  less  likely  to 
catch  cold  from  any  little  exposure,  and  theii 
necks  and  arms  will  be  protected  from  the 
sun.  Now,  if  yon'll  tear  off  a  skirt,  I'll  get  to 
work.  I  brought  thimble  and  scissors  along." 

Those  were  not  the  days  of  sewing  ma- 
chines, and  though  garments  were  made  in 
much  simpler  style  then  than  now,  the  sewing 
for  such  a  family  as  the  Keiths  was  no  small 
task. 

It  would  take  some  weeks  of  very  diligent 
work  by  three  or  four  pairs  of  hands  to  accom- 
plish what  the  mother  deemed  necessary  in  the 
way  of  preparing  their  wardrobe  for  the  con- 
templated journey. 

Under  the  instruction  of  her  mother  and 
aunt,  Mildred  had  already  become  as  accom- 
plished a  needlewoman  as  either  of  them.  A 
seamstress  had  been  engaged  to  assist  but  could 
not  be  had  for  a  few  days ;  so  plans  and  pros- 
pects could  be  talked  over  freely  as  the  three 
*at  and  worked  together,  Baby  Annis  asleep 
in  her  cradle  or  playing  contentedly  .n  the 
carpet  at  her  mother's  feet 


<%ptrr 


**  The  mother,  m  her  office,  holds  the  key 
Of  the  soul ;  and  she  it  is  who  stamps  the  coin 
Of  character,  and  makes  the  being  who  would  be  a  savage, 
But  for  her  gentle  cares,  a  Christian  man." 

—OLD  PLAY. 

THE  striking  of  the  town  clock,  the  ringing 
of  bells,  the  blowing  of  whistles  and  "  the 
schoolboy's  glad  shout"  announced  the  noon- 
tide hour. 

A  sound  of  coming  footsteps,  of  gay,  young 
voices,  an  opening  of  doors,  letting  in  fresh 
breezes  from  without,  and  with  them  two 
bright,  blooming,  merry  little  girls  and  a  lad 
between  them  and  Mildred  in  age,  in  whose 
great  black  eyes  lurked  a  world  of  fan  and 
tnisehief. 

"  Softly,  softly,  children  1 "  the  mother  said 
looking  up  with  a  smile  as  they  came  dancing 
kiid  prancing  in.  "  Eupert,  are  you  not  old 
enough  to  begin  to  act  in  a  rather  more  gentle- 
manly way  ? " 


MILDRED  KEIIU.  IT 

u  Yes,  mother,  I  beg  your  pai  Jon.  Y  JDI-& 
too,  Aunt  Wealthy,  I  didn't  know  till  this 
moment  that  you  were  here." 

"  Mother,  he's  always  teasing,"  complained 
the  younger  of  the  girls,  "  he  says  we'll  have 
to  live  in  wigwams  like  the  Indians  and  perhapa 
grow  to  be  as  black  and  ugly  as  they  are." 

"  But  they're  not  black,  Ada,"  exclaimed 
the  other,  "  my  g'ography  calls  'em  red  men." 

"  Well,  that's  'most  worse,  I'd  as  lief  be 
black  as  red." 

"  If  you're  careful  to  wear  yoursunbonaeta 
when  you  go  oat,  you  won't  grow  to  be  either," 
remarked  Mildred,  while  Mrs.  Keith  said  with 
a  look  of  mild  reproof, 

"  Rupert,  my  son,  was  it  quite  truthful  to 
tell  your  sisters  such  things  ?" 

"I  was  only  making  fun,"  he  answered, 
trying  to  turn  it  off  with  a  laugh,  but  blushing 
as  he  spoke. 

"  Innocent  fun  I  never  object  to,  but  sport 
is  too  dearly  bought  at  the  sacrifice  of  truth. 

'  My  boy,"  she  added  with  energy,  "  one 
should  go  to  the  stake  rather  than  tell  a  false- 
hood ;  though  it  were  no  more  than  to  say  that 
two  and  two  do  not  make  four." 

"  Mother,  I  believe  you  would  I  "  he  said, 
gazing  with  loving  admiration  into  her  earnest 


18  MILDRED  KEITH. 

face.     "  I've  never  known  you  to  swerve  a 
hair's  breadth  from  the  truth  in  any  way,  and 
coming  close  to  her  side  and  speaking  almost 
in  a  whisper,  "  1  mean  to  try  to  be  worthy  oi 
you  in  the  future." 

She  looked  at  him  with  glistening  eyes, 
and  dropping  her  work  took  his  hands  in  hers 
for  a  moment. 

The  others  were  not  listening ;  Zillah  and 
Ada  had  caught  sight  of  the  new  dresses,  were 
admiring  them  and  asking  eager  questions  of 
their  aunt  and  sister. 

tf  My  boy,"  Mrs.  Keith  said  in  moved  tones, 
"  I  would  rather  be  the  mother  of  a  poor  hard 
working  man  of  whom  it  could  be  said  that  he 
had  always  been  perfectly  honest  and  true,  than 
of  one  who  had  amassed  his  millions  and  at- 
tained to  the  highest  worldly  honors  by  fraud 
or  questionable  deeds  or  words.  Remember 
that  all  your  life." 

"  Mother,  1  will ;  I  have  my  father's  exam- 
ple to  help  me  as  well  as  yours,"  the  lad  replied 
with  a  proud  glance  at  the  noble,  kindly,  intel- 
lectua.  face  of  a  gentleman  who  came  in  at 
that  instant  with  Fan  in  his  arms  and  the  twe 
little  boys  gamboling  about  him. 

"  Ah,  Aunt  Wealthy,  good  morning  !  "  he 
«aid  in  a  cheery  tone,  sitting  down  bes'de  her, 


MILDRED  KEITH.  19 

putting  Fan  on  one  knee,  and  lifting  the  babe, 
who  was  laughing  and  crowing  with  delight  at 
sight  of  him,  to  the  other.  "  I  suppose  yon 
have  heard  the  news  ?  " 

"  That  you  are  going  to  Indiana,  Stuart  \ 
Yes.  You  are  not  contented  to  let  well  enough 
alone?" 

"Can't  consider  it  well  enough  to  be  barely 
making  the  two  ends  meet  while  a  growing 
family  must  be  constantly  increasing  my  ex- 
penses." 

"How  is  this  removal  to  help  you?  It 
will  cost  a  good  deal." 

"  f  Nothing  venture,  nothing  have.'  I'm 
going  to  a  new  country  where  land  is  cheap. 
I  shall  invest  something  in  that  and  hope  to 
see  it  increase  largely  in  value  as  the  town 
grows. 

"Then  lawyers  are  not  so  plenty  there  but 
that  some  more  will  be  needed  as  people  move 
in,  and  I  hope  by  being  on  the  spot  in  good 
season,  to  secure  extensive  practice. 

"  It  will  cost  the  sundering  of  some  very 
tender  ties,"  he  continued,  his  face  growing 
grave  almost  to  sadness, "  but  we  are  willing  to 
bear  that  for  our  children's  sake.  Is  it  not  so, 
wife  ?  "  and  he  turned  to  her  with  a  smile  thai 
spoke  volumes  of  love  and  confidence. 


20  MILDRED  KEITH 

"  Yes  indeed,  Stuart,"  she  answered  with 
uheerful  heartiness.  "I  shouldn't  have  hesi- 
*ated  for  a  moment  if  I  had  been  quite  sure  it 
would  be  the  best  thing  for  them ;  but,  as  you 
*cnow,  I'm  afraid  we  can  not  give  them  as  good 
in  education  there  as  we  might  here.  However 
we  have  now  decided  to  go,  and  I  can  only 
hope  for  the  best. 

"  And  do  you  know,"  she  went  on  with  a 
smile  directed  to  the  corner  where  Miss  Stan- 
hope sat,  "  that  since  you  left  us  this  morning 
something  has  happened  that  takes  away  more 
than  half  the  pain  of  the  thought  of  leaving 
Lansdale  ? " 

"  No ;  what  may  that  be  ?  " 

"  Oh,  I  know  1 "  shouted  Cyril,  turning  a 
somersault  on  the  carpet.  "Aunt  Wealthy's 
goin'  along  !  Aunt  Wealthy' s  goin'  along  I " 

And  then  such  raptures  of  delight  as  were 
Indulged  in  by  those  who  had  not  heard  the 
news  before ! 

These  were  interrupted  by  a  summons  to 
the  dinner-table ;  but  when  the  blessing  had 
been  asked  and  the  plates  filled,  the  talk  went 
on  again,  though  in  a  somewhat  more  subd  ued 
fashion. 

"Is  there  absolutely  no  danger  from  the 
Indians,  Stuart  ? "  asked  Miss  Stanhope 


MILDRED    KEITH.  31 

"None  whatever;  most  of  the  tribes  have 
been  removed  to  the  far  west ;  all  but  one,  1 
think,  and  that  will  probably  be  taken  soon." 

"  What  tribe  is  it  ?  the  Wottapottamies  ?  *• 

"  Pottawottamies ;  yes." 

"  Father,  will  we  have  to  live  in  wigwams 
and  dress  in  skins  ? "  asked  Ada,  anxiously. 

"  No ;  we'll  have  a  house ;  if  it  is  only  a 
log-cabin,  and  we'll  carry  plenty  of  clothes 
along." 

"  P'raps  dey  might  det  losted  on  the  way," 
suggested  Fan. 

"Well,  pussy,  I  think  we'll  find  some 
stores  out  there;  and  if  everything  else  fails 
we  can  always  fall  back  on  deerskins." 

Lansdale  was  but  a1  small  town  ;  everybody 
in  it  knew  the  Keiths  or  knew  of  them,  and  by 
the  next  day  after  their  removal  had  been  de- 
cided upon,  everybody  knew  that. 

Many  regrets  were  expressed  and  there 
were  some  offers  of  assistance  with  their  prep- 
arations ;  but  these  were  declined  with  thanks : 
"  with  Aunt  Wealthy 's  good  help,  and  that  of 
the  seamstress  already  engaged,"  Mrs.  Keith 
said  "  she  and  Mildred  would  be  able  to  do  all 
that  was  necessary." 

They  were  very  busy  cutting,  fitting  and 
sewing,  day  after  day,  from  morning  to-night 


22  MILDRED   KE1TR. 

with  occasional  interruptions  from  tt  ii«<l4. 
ones  who  were  too  young  to  go  to  school  but 
old  enough  to  roam  over  house  and  grounds ; 
»nd  being  adventurous  spirits,  full  of  life  and 
energy,  were  constantly  getting  into  mischief, 
thns  furnishing,  gratis,  a  change  of  works  to 
mother  and  eldest  sister,  who,  spite  of  a  hearty 
affection  for  the  young  rogues,  was  often  sorely 
tried  by  their  pranks. 

"  Have  you  any  cord,  Mrs.  Keith  ?  "  asked 
the  seamstress,  one  morning. 

"  Yes,"  turning  to  her  work-basket.  "  Why, 
what  has  become  of  it  ?  I  had  two  or  three 
pieces  here.  And  that  paper  of  needles  has 
disappeared  !  Mildred  did  you — " 

"  The  children  were  here  half  an  hour  ago, 
mother,  and  I  remember  seeing  Donald  peep- 
ing into  your  basket." 

"  Run  out  and  see  what  they  have  done 
with  them." 

Going  into  the  hall,  Mildred  stood  a  mo- 
ment listening  for  some  sound  to  tell  her  where 
the  children  were.  Little  voices  were  prattling 
in  the  garden  near  at  hand.  Stepping  to  the 
door  she  saw  the  two  boys  seated  on  the  grass 
busied  with  a  kite  Rupert  had  made  for  them. 

"  What  are  you  doing  I"  she  asked,  going 
nearer. 


MILDRED   KEITH.  23 

"  Makin'  a  longer  tail." 

"  Where  did  you  get  that  piece  of  string  ?" 

No  answer ;  only  a  guilty  look  on  the  two 
chubby  faces. 

"  Oh,  I  know  !  it's  some  cord  you  took  from 
mother's  work-basket.  And  now  it's  wanted ; 
but  you've  spoilt  it  entirely ;  why  did  you  cut 
and  knot  it  so?" 

"  Why,"  said  Cyril,  "  you  see  Don  was  ray 
crazy  man  and  I  had  to  tie  him  ;  and  then  I 
had  to  cut  the  string  to  get  it  off,  'cause  I 
couldn't  untie  the  knots." 

"  Oh,  you  mischievous  fellows.  Another 
time  don't  you  take  things  without  leave.  Did 
you  take  a  paper  of  needles  too  ?" 

"  No,  we  didn't ;  maybe  Fan  did." 

Mildred  went  in  search  of  Fan,  and  found 
her  digging  and  planting  in  her  little  garden, 
the  empty  needle  paper  lying  near. 

"  Fan,"  said  Mildred,  picking  it  up,  "  What 
have  you  done  with  the  needles  that  were  in 
this?" 

"  Sowed  'em  in  dis  bed  ;  and  when  dey 
drows  up  we'll  have  lots  an'  lots  for  mother  an1 
you." 

"You  silly,  provoking  little  puss!  nee- 
dee  don't  grow.  Show  me  whore  yon  put 
them." 


84  MILDRED   KEITH. 

tl  Tan't  dey's  all  round  and  round  in  de 
gwond." 

Mildred  took  up  a  bit  of  stick  and  poked 
about  in  the  fresh  earth  for  a  minute  or  two, 
then  remarking  to  herself  that  it  was  as  boot- 
less as  hunting  in  a  haystack,  went  into  the 
house  with  the  report  of  the  hapless  fate  of  the 
missing  articles. 

The  boys  were  there  before  her,  penitently 
exhibiting  the  ruined  cord  and  promising  to  do 
so  no  more. 

"We  didn't  fink,  mother,"  pleaded  Don, 
looking  up  in  her  face  with  such  a  droll  mix- 
tnre  of  fun  and  entreaty  in  his  roguish  blue 
eyes,  that  she  could  not  refrain  from  giving 
him  a  kiss  and  a  smile  as  she  answered,  "  Ah, 
my  boys  must  learn  to  think  and  not  take 
mother's  things  without  leave.  Now  run  away 
to  your  plays  and  try  to  be  good  children." 

"  Mother,  I  do  think  you're  a  little  too  easy 
with  them,"  Mildred  said  in  a  slightly  vexed 
tone. 

"  Perhaps ;  but  if  I  make  a  mistake,  is  it 
not  far  better  to  do  so  on  the  side  of  mercy 
than  of  severity  f' 

"  I  suppose  so ;  I  shouldn't  like  to  see  them 
whipped." 

Then  laughingly  she  told  the  story  of  Fan's 


MILDRED   KEITH.  25 

doings,  and  as  needles  and  cord  miibt  be  re- 
placed, put  on  her  bonnet  and  sallied  forth 
upon  the  errand. 

Mildred  as  one  of  the  prettiest,  most  accom- 
plished, graceful,  and  fascinating  young  ladies 
of  the  place,  and  belonging  to  one  of  the  first 
families,  was  a  good  deal  admired,  and  never 
lacked  attention  at  a  party,  picnic  or  any  sort 
of  gathering  of  the  young  people  of  the  town. 

As  she  left  the  store  where  she  had  made 
her  purchases,  Spencer  Hall  crossed  the  street 
and  joined  her. 

He  was  the  only  son  of  the  wealthiest  man 
in  the  place  and,  because  of  his  great  expecta- 
tions, looked  upon  by  most  of  the  young  girls 
and  their  mammas  as  a  desirable  match. 

Mildred,  however,  was  of  a  different  opin- 
ion, knowing  him  to  be  idle,  purse-proud,  vain 
and  conceited. 

She  therefore  returned  his  greeting  rather 
coldly  ;  heartily  wishing  that  he  had  not  hap- 
pened to  see  her,  or  that  something  would  occui 
to  rid  her  at  once  of  his  undesirable  company. 

Greatly  amazed  would  the  young  exquisite 
have  been  could  he  have  read  her  thoughts; 
for  he  had  no  doubt  that  she  felt  highly  grati- 
fied and  honored  by  his  notice.  Was  he  not 
arrayed  in  broadcloth  suit,  silk  hat  and  immac- 


26  MILDRED   KKITH. 

ulate  kids,  while  she  wore  calico,  cotton  glovw 
and  the  simplest  of  straw  bonnets  ?  And  could 
not  his  father  buy  hers  out  ten  times  over  I 

His  manner  was  gracious  and  patronizing 
as  he  remarked — sauntering  along  by  her  side, 
"  Why,  Miss  Mildred,  can  it  be  true  that  you 
are  going  to  leave  us  ?  I  don't  see  what  Lans- 
dale  will  do  without  you." 

"It  is  quite  true  that  we  are  going,  Mr. 
Hall/'  she  answered,  with  a  slight  curl  of  the 
lip;  "and  I  suppose  my  father  and  mother 
will  be  missed ;  but  I  can  not  think  that  my 
loss  will  in  any  way  affect  the  prosperity  of  the 
town  or  the  happiness  of  the  people." 

"  Some  people's  it  certainly  will,"  he  said, 
with  increased  graciousness,  exerting  himself 
slightly  to  keep  pace  with  her,  as  she  quickened 
her  steps  to  a  very  rapid  walk.  "We  don't 
want  to  lose  you  ;  might  it  not  be  possible  to 
persuade  you  to  remain  among  us  ? " 

"  Certainly  not ;  unless  my  parents  should 
change  their  plans  and  decide  to  stay.  Of 
which  there  is  not  the  least  probability." 

"  Do  you  know  that  you  are  walking  very 
fast,  Miss  Mildred  ?"  he  said,  laughing.  "  Do 
let  us  slacken  our  pace  a  little,  for  who  knows 
when  we  may  have  the  pleasure  of  walking  to- 
gether again." 


MILDRED   KEITH.  27 

"  You  must  excuse  me ;  I  am  in  great  haste, 
But  there  is  not  the  slightest  necessity  for  your 
exerting  yourself  to  keep  pace  with  me.  It  is 
broai  daylight  and  I  know  the  way." 

"  Now  don't  be  sarcastic,  my  dear  young 
lady.  I'd  be  willing  at  any  time  to  make  a  fai 
greater  exertion  for  the  pleasure  of  your  soci- 
ety ;  but  if  we  move  so  rapidly  it  will  shorter 
our  interview  considerably." 

"  I  have  already  explained  that  I  am  in 
haste ;  there  is  much  to  be  done  in  the  few 
weeks  before  we  leave,"  the  girl  answered 
coldly,  pressing  on  with  accelerated  speed. 

"  Haven't  time  even  for  a  word  with  an  old 
friend,  eh  ?  Then  good-morning,  Miss  Keith," 
and  turning  about  in  disgust,  he  sauntered 
leisurely  along  in  another  direction  while  she 
sped  on  her  way  as  before. 

"  Is  it  possible  1  what  does  the  girl  mean  I ' 
he  ejaculated  the  next  minute,  as  on  turning 
his  head  to  look  after  her,  he  perceived  that 
Mildred  had  actually  stopped  upon  the  side- 
walk—stopped to  speak  to  a  mutual  acquaint- 
ance,  a  lad  a  year  or  two  younger  than  himself, 
who  was  working  his  own  way  in  the  world, 
getting  an  education  by  the  hardest  and  help- 
ing a  widowed,  invalid  mother. 

For  Frank  Osborne  Mildred  had  the  highest 


88  MILDRED   KEITH. 

respect,  though  she  looked  upon  him  as  a  mere 
boy  and  was  wholly  unconscious  that  to  him 
she  was  the  embodiment  of  every  virtue  and 
grace ;  that  her  words,  looks  and  smiles  were 
treasured  up  in  his  very  heart  of  hearts ;  nor 
did  she  dream  how  unhesitatingly  he  would 
have  laid  down  his  life  to  save  hers  had  it  been 
in  danger.  It  was  only  a  boy's  passion,  but  it 
was  deep  and  strong. 

The  news  of  the  intended  removal  of  the 
Keiths  to  what,  in  those  days,  seemed  a  far  dis- 
tant region,  had  been  a  great  shock  to  him ; 
but  with  the  hopefulness  of  youth  he  consoled 
himself  with  the  resolve  to  follow  and  seek  her 
out — when  in  the  course  of  years  he  should 
earn  fame  and  fortune — though  she  should  be 
carried  to  the  ends  of  the  earth. 

His  eye  brightened  and  his  cheek  flushed, 
as  on  turning  a  corner,  he  came  suddenly  upon 
her  in  her  rapid  walk,  and  she  stopped  and 
held  out  her  hand  in  friendly  greeting. 

He  took  it  almost  reverentially. 

"How  d'ye  do,  Frank?  and  how  is  yonr 
mother  to-day  ? "  she  was  saying,  her  bright 
eyes  looking  straight  into  his. 

"Better,  thank  you,  Miss  Mildred.  And 
you  are  well  ?  and  oh,  can  it  be  true  that  you 


MILDRED   KEITH.  9$ 

are  all  going  so  far  away  ? "  he  asked  with  a 
wistful,  longing  look. 

"Yes;  to  the  land  of  the  Hoosiers,  wild 
Indians  and  wolves,"  she  said  gayly.  "  Don't 
you  envy  me?" 

"  I  envy  those  that  go  with  you,"  he  an- 
swered,  sighing.  "  You  won't  forget  old  friends, 
Miss  Mildred  ? " 

"  No ;  no,  indeed,  Frank,"  she  said,  heartily. 
"  But  good-bye.  I  must  hurry  home,"  and 
•with  a  nod  and  smile  she  tripped  away ;  to 
the  satisfaction  of  Hall  who  had  jealously 
watched  the  whole  interview. 

He  was  glad  it  had  been  no  longer,  though 
he  could  not  avoid  the  unpleasant  conscious- 
ness that  more  favor  had  been  shown  to  "  thai 
pauper "  than  to  himself,  the  prospective  heif 
to  a  comfortable  fortune. 


"  Lessons  so  dear,  so  fraught  with  holy  truth 
Afl  those  her  mother's  faith  shed  oil  her  youth." 


"  Now,"  said  Mildred,  taking  up  her  sewing 
-again,  *'  I  must  work  fast  to  make  up  for  lost 
time,  for  I've  set  my  heart  on  finishing  this 
dress  of  Ada's  to-day." 

The  words  had  scarcely  left  her  lips  when 
there  came  a  loud  crash  and  scream  from  the 
hall,  followed  by  a  sound  of  tumbling  and  roll- 
ing. 

Up  sprang  mother,  aunt  and  sister,  scatter- 
ing scissors,  thimbles  and  work,  and  rushed 
toward  the  scene  of  commotion. 

They  found  the  etairs,  and  Fan,  who  sat 
weeping  half  way  up,  drenched  with  water; 
while  at  the  foot  were  scattered  fragments  of  a 
large  pitcher,  Cyril  lying  among  them  half 
etunned  and  with  the  blood  streaming  from  a 
cut  in  his  head  ;  Don  gazing  down  upon  him 
from  the  landing  and  adding  his  mite  to  the 


MILDRED   KEITH.  3t 

confusion   by  screaming,  "  Oh  1   oh  t  oh  1  he's 
(leaded  !  he's  deaded  ! " 

"  No,  he  ain't,"  said  Cyril,  slowly  getting  on 
hie  feet.  "  Mother,  I  didn't  mean  to.  Please 
don't  let  Milly  scold  us  young  ones.  Oh,  stop 
this  quick  I  "  putting  his  hand  to  his  head. 

"  Yes,  sonny,  as  soon  as  possible,"  said  Mrs. 
Keith,  taking  his  head  in  her  hands  and  hold- 
ing the  lips  of  the  wound  together.  "  A  basin 
of  cold  water,  Milly,  quick !  and  aunt,  there  is 
sticking  plaster  in  the  work-table  drawer.  Hush 
Don  ;  don't  cry  any  more,  Fan ;  Cyril  isn't  much 
hurt  and  mother  will  soon  make  it  all  right." 

Her  orders  were  promptly  obeyed,  the  wound 
skillfully  dressed,  Fan's  wet  clothes  changed, 
and  then  inquiry  was  made  as  to  how  it  had  all 
happened. 

"Why — why,"  said  Cyril,  "you  see  Fan 
wanted  to  wash  her  hands  ;  'cause  she  d  been 
diggin'  in  her  garden  and  dey  was  all  dirty  / 
and  dere  wasn't  any  water  in  the  pitcher  and 
we  brung  it  down  and  got  it  full  and  I  wag' 
carryin*  it  up  and  my  foot  tripped  and  I  fell 
down  with  it  and  knocked  Fan  over  cause  she 
was  behind  me.  And  I  couldn't  help  it. 
Could  I,  Don  ?  " 

"  No,  you  touldna  help  it,"  assented  Don 
*•  And  Fan  touldn't  too." 


32  MILDRED   KEITH. 

"  And  he's  dot  a  bad  hurt  on  his  head,"  pat 
in  Fan  pityingly. 

"  Yes,  he's  punished  enough,  I  think,"  said 
the  mother,  caressing  him ;  "  his  intentions 
seem  to  have  been  good  ;  but  next  time  you 
want  water,  dears,  come  and  tell  mother  or 
sister  Milly." 

u  There,  the  morning's  gone,"  said  Mildred, 
as  bells  and  whistles  began  their  usual  an- 
nouncement ;  "  a  full  hour  of  it  wasted,  too, 
by  the  pranks  of  those  children.  I  hope  they've 
finished  up  the  business  for  to-day  I  " 

Yain  hope !  inactivity  was  impossible  to 
those  restless  spirits :  their  surplus  energy  must 
be  worked  off  in  some  way. 

They  had  not  been  heard  from  for  two  hours 
and  Mrs.  Keith  had  just  remarked  that  she 
feared  it  must  be  some  mischief  that  was  keep- 
ing them  so  quiet,  when  shrieks  and  wails  from 
three  infantile  voices,  coming  from  the  second 
story,  appealed  strongly  to  the  compassion  of 
their  relatives  in  the  sitting-room. 

The  call  for  help  was  responded  to  as 
promptly  as  on  the  previous  occasion.  Mother, 
aunt,  and  sister  flew  to  the  rescue  and  on  enter, 
ing  the  room  whence  the  sounds  proceeded, 
found  Fan  locked  in  the  wardrobe  and  the  two 
boys  seated  in  the  lower  drawer  of  the  bureau 


MILDRED    KEITH.  33 

which  their  weight  had  caused  to  tip  eo  far  for- 
ward that  they  could  not  get  out  without  as- 
sistance. A  chair  standing  so  near  as  to  pre- 
vent the  bureau  from  falling  entirely  to  the 
floor,  had  probably  saved  them  from  a  serioui 
accident;  but  there  they  were,  bent  nearly 
double,  legs  dangling,  vociferous  screams  issu- 
ing from  their  throats. 

It  was  the  work  of  a  moment  for  the  laugh- 
ing mother  and  aunt  to  lift  up  the  bureau  and 
release  the  two  rogues,  while  Mildred  sprang 
to  the  wardrobe,  unlocked  it  and  took  the  sob- 
bing Fan  in  her  arms. 

"  You  poor  dear,  who  fastened  you  in 
there?" 

"  Cyril  did.  He  said  I  stealed  and  must  go 
to  jail.  And — and  I  was  T aid  it  would  de& 
tumble  over ;  it  shaked  so  when  I  tried  to  det 
out." 

"  The  naughty  boy !"  cried  Mildred,  flash- 
ing an  indignant  glance  at  him  as  he  and  Don 
crept  from  the  drawer,  straightened  themselves 
and  stood  up  looking  very  much  abashed  and 
ill  at  ease. 

"  Mother,  I  do  think  Cyril  ought  to  be  pun- 
ished." 

"  I  didn't  hurt  her,"  he  muttered,  hanging 
his  head  ;  "  and  I  was  goin'  to  let  her  out  'fore 
2* 


S4  MILDRED   KEITH. 

long.    And  we  didn't  mean   to  tumble  the 
bureau  over.    Did  we  Don  I" 

"  No ;  it  dus  went  yight  over  its  ownee'f,'1 
chimed  in  th2  little  brother.  "  Pease,  mamma 
we's  doin  to  be  dood  boys  now." 

"  You  might  have  been  very  much  hurt  if 
the  chair  had  not  been  where  it  was,"  she  said, 
composing  her  features  and  speaking  with  be- 
coming gravity,  "  I  am  very  thankful  for  your 
escape,  and  you  must  never  do  such  things 
again.  Especially  never  lock  each  other  into 
&  wardrobe  or  closet,"  she  added  sitting  down, 
drawing  Fan  to  her  side  and  caressing  her  ten- 
derly, while  Miss  Stanhope  and  Mildred  re- 
stored the  contents  of  the  bureau  drawers, 
which  the  boys  had  unceremoniously  tossed 
upon  the  carpet. 

"  Why,  mother  ?"  queried  the  self-constitu 
ted  jailor. 

"  Because  it  is  very  dangerous.  Your  little? 
gister  might  have  been  frightened  into  a  tit  01 
have  died  for  want  of  air  to  breathe." 

Cyril's  eyes  dilated,  then  filled  with  tears  as 
he  seemed  to  see  the  little  sister  he  loved  so 
dearly  lying  before  him  white  and  cold  and 
dead. 

"  I  won't  ever,  ever  do  it  again,"  he  said 
iremulously. 


MILDRED  KEITH.  35 

"  No,  you  must  be  Fan's  big  brave  brother 
that  she  can  trust  to  take  care  of  her  and  shield 
her  from  harm.  I  don't  believe  my  CyrlJ 
would  be  such  a  mean  coward  as  to  hurt  a  little 
girl  or  anything  smaller  or  weaker  than  him- 
self, except  for  that  naughty  '  didn't  think  1' " 

"  But  I  didn't  hurt  her,  mother." 

"  Yes,  my  son,  you  hurt  her  feelings  very 
much." 

He  considered  a  moment.  "  Yes,  I  s'pose 
that's  so,"  he  said  slowly,  "  Fan,  I'll  tell  you ; 
I'm  real  sorry ;  and  you  may  be  jailor  now  and 
lock  me  up  in  that  wardrobe." 

"  No,  no !  there  must  be  no  more  such  do- 
ings," quickly  interposed  mamma. 

"  Dess  I  wouldn't  do  such  sing  !"  said  Fan, 
wiping  away  her  tears  with  her  chubby  little 
hand. 

"  What  a  room !"  said  Mildred,  shutting  the 
last  bureau  drawer  and  turning  to  look  about 
her ;  "  every  chair  out  of  place  and  turned  on 
its  side,  the  bed  all  tumbled  and  bits  of  paper 
scattered  over  the  carpet." 

"  Pick  them  up,  children,  and  try  to  keep 
out  of  mischief  for  the  rest  of  the  day.  1  must 
go  back  to  my  sewing,"  Mrs.  Keith  said,  fol- 
lowing hei  aunt,  wh6  had  already  left  the 
room. 


36  MILDRED  KEITH. 

Mildred  staid  behind  tc  assist  in  sett  ng  it 
to  rights. 

"  You  naughty  children !  really  I  could 
almost  enjoy  spanking  you  all  round,"  she  ex- 
claimed directly,  as  she  came  upon  the  frag- 
ments of  a  delicate  china  vase  belonging  to  her- 
self,  and  a  valued  letter  from  a  friend  torn  into 
bits. 

"  Milly,"  said  Cyril  solemnly,  "  s'pose  wf» 
should  get  deaded  some  day ;  wouldn't  you  be 
sorry  I" 

"  Suppose  I  should  get  deaded,"  she  re- 
torted, '*  wouldn't  you  be  sorry  for  spoiling  my 
pretty  things  ?" 

She  was  ashamed  of  her  outburst  neverthe- 
less, and  the  child's  words  haunted  her  all  the 
afternoon. 

It  was  evening;  two  candles  burned  on  the 
sitting-room  table,  and  beside  it  sat  Mildred 
and  her  mother  still  busily  plying  their 
needles. 

The  rest  of  the  family  were  in  bed  and 
Miss  Stanhope  and  the  seamstress  had  gone  to 
iheir  own  homes  hours  ago. 

"  My  child,  put  up  your  work  for  to-night" 
said  Mrs.  Keith  ;  "  You  are  looking  weary  and 
depressed  ;  and  no  wonder,  for  you  have  had  a 
hard  day." 


NILDRED   KEITH.  37 

"  A  busy  day,  mother ;  but  not  so  hard  as 
yours,  because  I  have  had  a  walk  in  the  fresh 
air  while  you  have  been  stitch,  stitching  from 
early  morning  till  now.  And  if  you  don't  for- 
bid it  I  shall  sit  up  and  work  as  long  as  you 
do.  I  consider  it  one  of  the  eldest  daughter's 
privileges  to  share  her  mother's  burdens." 

"  My  dear  girl !  you  are  a  comfort  to  me  I 
I  thank  God  for  you  every  day,"  the  mother 
said,  looking  at  her  with  dewy  eyes  and  a 
beautiful  smile,  "  but  because  you  are  young 
and  growing,  you  need  more  rest  and  sleep 
than  I  do.  So  go,  daughter,  and  never  mind 
leaving  me." 

"  Mayn't  I  stay  a  little  longer,"  pleaded  the 
girl,  "  I  want  one  of  our  nice  confidential  talks. 
O  mother,  I  am  so  disgusted  with  myself!  I 
was  very  angry  with  Cyril  and  Don  to-day 
when  I  found  they'd  broken  that  vase  I  valued 
eo  because  you  gave  it  to  me  as  a  birthday 
present ;  and  it  was  so  pretty  too — and  torn  up 
that  sweet  letter  dear  Miss  Grey  wrote  me  just 
before  she  died." 

"Indeed!  I  didn't  know  they  had  done 
such  damage  and  I  am  very  sorry  for  your  loss, 
dear ! " 

"Yes,  mother,  I  knew  you  would  be;  my 
loss  of  temper,  though,  was  worse  than  all.  I 


38  MILDRED   KEITH. 

do  wish  I  knew  how  you  contrive  always  to  b« 
eo  patient." 

"  I'm  afraid  it's  very  often  all  on  the  out* 
*ide,"  the  mother  answered  with  a  slight  smile. 
'•*  But  I  find  it  a  great  help  in  bearing  patiently 
with  the  little  every  day  worries,  to  think  of 
them  as  sent,  or  permitted,  by  my  best  Friend 
— One  who  never  makes  a  mistake — for  my 
growth  in  grace ;  for  you  know  we  grow  strong 
by  resistance." 

"  Well,  mother,  I  am  constantly  resolving 
that  I  will  not  give  way  to  my  temper,  and  yet  I 
keep  on  doing  so ;  and  I  grow  so  discouraged  and 
eo  disgusted  with  myself.  What  shall  I  do?" 

"  My  child,  watch  and  pray.  Our  suffi- 
ciency is  of  God.  He  is  our  strength.  And 
do  not  look  at  yourself;  try  to  forget  self  alto- 
gether in  '  looking  unto  Jesus;'  get  your  mind 
and  heart  full  of  his  lovely  image,  so  full  that 
there  will  be  no  room  in  it  for  aught  else ;  and 
thus  shall  you  grow  into  His  likeness." 

Mildred's  eyes  shone  as  she  looked  up  _nto 
her  mother's  earnest  face. 

"  I  am  sure  that  must  be  the  way,"  she  said, 
low  and  feelingly,  "  and  I  will  try  it ;  for  I  do 
long  to  be  like  Him,  mother ;  for  He  is  indeed 
to  me,  '  the  chiefest  among  ten  thousand  and 
the  one  altogether  lovely  1 ' " 


MILDRED  KE11H.  39 

•*  Oh,  how  good  He  is  to  me  1 "  ejaculated 
the  mother,  glad  tears  shining  in  her  eyes: 
"  that  you  might  learn  thus  to  know  and  love 
Him  has  been  the  burden  of  my  prayer  for  you 
— for  each  of  my  dear  children — since  they  first 
saw  the  light." 

They  worked  on  in  silence  for  some  min- 
utes, then  Mildred  seeing  a  smile  playing  about 
her  mother's  lips,  asked  what  was  the  thought 
that  provoked  it. 

"  A  reminiscence  of  some  of  your  infautilo 
pranks,"  her  mother  answered  laughing.  "  You 
should  be  forbearing  with  your  little  brother 
and  sisters  for  you  were  fully  as  mischievous  as 
they  are. 

"  Before  you  could  walk  I  caught  you  one 
day  seated  in  the  middle  of  the  table  set  for 
tea,  your  hand  in  the  sugar  bowl,  your  mouth 
full  and  your  face  well  besmeared. 

"  You  were  a  great  climber  and  it  was  dif- 
ficult to  keep  anything  out  of  your  way;  and 
as  soon  as  Rupert  could  creep  he  followed  you 
into  danger  and  mischief  ;  pulling  things  about, 
breaking,  tearing,  cutting,  climbing  fences  and 
trees,  and  even  getting  out  of  windows  on  to 
roofs. 

"  Besides,  you  had  a  perfect  mania  for  fcast- 
ing  everything  that  could  possibly  be  eaten  or 


40  MILDRED  KEITH. 

drunk — soap,  candles,  camphor,  lye,  medicines 
whatever  you  could  lay  your  hands  on— till  I 
was  in  constant  fear  for  your  lives." 

"  Tou  poor,  dear  mother,  what  a  time  you 
must  have  had  with  us  1 "  exclaimed  the  girl. 
"  We  can  never  hope  to  repay  you  for  your 
patient  love  and  care." 

"  My  child,  I  have  always  felt  that  my  dar- 
lings paid  for  their  trouble  as  they  went  along  j 
their  love  has  always  been  so  sweet  to  me," 
Mrs.  Keith  answered,  cheerily.  "  And  I  can 
not  tell  you  how  much  I  enjoy  the  sweet  so- 
ciety and  confidence  of  my  eldest  daughter 
— the  knowledge  that  she  has  no  secrets  from 
me." 

"  I  have  not,  indeed,"  Mildred  said,  heart- 
ily, "  as  why  should  I  ?  knowing  as  I  do  that 
my  mother  is  my  best  and  wisest,  as  well  as 
dearest  earthly  friend." 

Then  recalling  the  events  of  the  morning 
she  gave  a  laughing  account  of  her  interview 
with  Spencer  Hall. 

"  If  I  could  contemplate  the  possibility  of 
leaving  you  behind  it  would  certainly  not  be 
in  his  care,"  her  mother  said,  joining  in  her 
merriment,  "and  I  am  glad  you  have  senso 
enough  not  to  fancy  him." 

"  Truly  I  do  not  in  the  least ;  though  many 


MILDRED  KEITH.  41 

of  the  girls  consider  him  a  great  catch  becaaee 
of  his  father's  wealth,"  said  Mildred.  "  But 
really  I  don't  believe  he  meant  anything,  and 
J  felt  like  showing  him  that  I  understood  that 
very  well  and  resented  his  trifling ;  and 
wouldn't  have  been  much  better  pleased  if 
he  had  been  in  earnest  " 


And,  like  some  low  and  mournful  spell, 
To  whisper  but  one  word — farewell." 

— PAEK  BENJAMHT. 

ONE  sweet  June  morning  an  expectant 
group  gathered  in  the  shade  of  the  vine- 
wreathed  porch  of  Miss  Stanhope's  pretty  cot- 
tage. It  consisted  of  that  good  lady  herself 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keith  and  their  eight  children, 
all  attired  in  neat  traveling  costume,  and  await- 
ing  the  coming  of  the  stage  coach  which  was  to 
carry  them  the  first  step  of  their  journey — to  the 
nearest  town  situate  on  the  Ohio  and  Erie 
Canal. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Park,  the  new  occupants  of 
the  cottage,  were  there  too,  and  a  few  old 
neighbors  and  friends  who  had  run  in  for  a  last 
good-bye. 

Mrs.  Keith  and  Mildred  turned  now  and 
tnen,  a  tearful  lingering  look  upon  their  de- 
serted home  and  this  other  which  was  equally 
familiar,  almost  equally  dear;  Miss  Stanhope 


MILDRED  KEITH  48 

seemed  to  have  some  ado  to  control  her  feelings 
of  sadness  and  anxiety  for  the  future ;  but  Mr. 
Keith  was  in  fine  spirits  in  which  the  children 
evidently  shared  very  largely 

Eager  to  be  off,  they  moved  restlessly  about 
asking  again  and  again,  "  When  will  the  stage 
coine?"  and  kept  sending  out  reconnoitering 
parties  to  see  if  there  were  any  signs  of  its  ap- 
proach. 

At  length  they  espied  it  and  announced  the 
fact  with  joyful  exclamations  as  its  four  pran- 
cing steeds  carne  sweeping  around  the  corner 
and,  swaying  and  rolling,  it  dashed  up  to  the 
gate. 

The  driver  drew  rein,  the  guard  sprang 
from  his  lofty  perch,  threw  open  the  door  and 
let  down  the  steps. 

There  were  hurried  embraces  and  farewells, 
a  hasty  stowing  away  of  bags,  bundles,  and 
passengers  large  and  small,  in  the  inside,  and 
of  more  bulky  baggage  in  the  boot  of  the  coach, 
the  steps  were  replaced,  the  door  slammed  to, 
and  amid  waving  }f  handkerchiefs  and  a  chorus 
of  good-byes  anc  good  wishes,  the  "  toot . 
toot  1"  of  the  guard's  horn,  the  crack  of  the 
soaehman's  whip,  they  swept  away  down  the 
street,  looking,  in  all  probability,  their  iast 
upon  many  a  well  knowt»  object,  many  a  friendly 


44  MILDRED  KEITH. 

face,  nodding  and  smiling  to  them  from  door  or 
window. 

Frank  Osborne,  at  work  in  his  mother's  gar 
den,  dropped  his  hoe  to  lift  his  hat  and  bow  as 
the  stage  passed,  and  to  gaze  after  it  with  a. 
longing,  lingering  look. 

Spencer  Hall,  standing,  cigar  in  mouth,  on 
the  steps  of  his  father's  mansion,  did  likewise. 

But  Mildred  had  turned  her  head  away,  pur- 
posely, and  did  not  see  him. 

Never  before  had  Lansdale  put  on  so  invit- 
ing an  appearance,  or  the  surrounding  country 
looked  so  lovely  as  to-day,  while  they  rolled 
onward  through  the  valley  and  over  the  hills 
now  clothed  in  all  the  rich  verdure  of  early  sum- 
mer and  basking  in  the  brilliant  sunlight  occa- 
sionally mellowed  and  subdued  by  the  flitting 
shadow  of  some  soft,  white,  fleecy  like  cloud 
floating  in  the  deep  azure  of  the  sky. 

A  few  hours'  drive  took  our  travellers  to  the 
town  where  they  were  to  exchange  the  stage  for 
the  canal  boat,  the  packet  Pauline.  She  lay  at 
the  wharf,  and  having  dined  comfortably  at  a 
hotel  near  by,  they  went  on  board,  taking  with 
them  the  luggage  brought  by  the  stage. 

Their  household  goods  had  been  dispatched 
on  the  same  route  some  days  before. 

Here  they  were  in  quarters  only  less  con 


MILDRED  KEITH.  45 

fined  than  those  of  the  stage,  the  Panliue'a 
cabin  being  so  narrow  that  when  the  table  wa& 
to  be  set  for  a  meal,  most  of  the  passengers  had 
to  go  on  deck  to  be  out  of  the  way. 

All  along  the  side  of  the  cabin  ran  ft 
cushioned  seat ;  used  for  that  purpose  in  the 
daytime  and  as  a  lower  berth  at  night ;  other 
«helf-like  berths  being  then  set  up  over  it ;  all  so 
narrow  that  the  occupant  could  scarcely  turn 
upon  his  couch  ;  and  the  upper  ones  so  close  to 
the  ceiling  that  it  required  some  care  to  avoid' 
striking  the  head  against  it  in  getting  in  or  out. 
Also  there  was  an  unpleasant  dampness  about 
the  bedding. 

In  the  cool  of  the  evening  or  when  the  sun 
was  clouded,  the  deck  was  the  favorite  place  of 
resort ;  but  there  a  constant  lookout  for  bridge* 
must  be  kept,  and  to  escape  them  it  was  some- 
times necessary  to  throw  one's  self  flat  upon 
the  deck ;  not  the  most  pleasant  of  alternatives 

The  progress  of  these  packets  was  so  slow 
too,  that  it  tool'  nearly  a  week  to  reach  Cleve- 
land from  the  point  where  our  friends  em- 
Varked. 

But  thia  mode  of  travel  had  its  compensa- 
tions. One  was  the  almost  absolute  safety; 
another  the  ease  with  which  the  voyager  could 
step  ashore  when  the  boat  was  in  a  lock  and 


46  MILDRED  KEITH. 

refresh  himself  with  a  brisk  walk  along  the 
tow-path  ;  boarding  her  again  when  the  next 
lock  was  reached. 

This  was  done  daily  by  some  of  the  Keith 
family,  even  the  very  little  ones  being  some- 
times allowed  the  treat  when  the  weather  and 
walking  were  fine  and  the  distance  was  not  too 
great. 

Passengers  were  constantly  getting  off  and 
on  at  the  locks  and  the  towns  along  the  route, 
and  often  the  boat  was  crowded.  It  was  so 
the  first  night  that  our  friends  spent  c.n  board  ; 
babies  cried,  older  children  fretted  and  some 
grown  people  indulged  in  loud  complaints  of 
scant  and  uncomfortable  accommodations ; 
altogether  the  cabin  was  a  scene  of  confusion 
and  the  young  Keiths  felt  very  forlorn. 

But  mother,  aunt  and  older  sister  were  very 
patient,  soothed,  comforted,  and  at  length  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  them  all  to  sleep. 

Then  Aunt  Wealthy,  saying  that  she  felt 
disposed  to  lie  down  and  rest  beside  the  chil- 
dren, persuaded  Mrs.  Keith  and  Mildred  to  go 
upon  deck  for  an  hour  to  enjoy  the  moonlight 
and  the  pleasant  evening  breeze  with  Mr.  Keith 
tnd  Eupert,  who  had  been  there  ever  since 
anpper. 

Mr.  Keith  helped  his  wife  and  daughter  up 


MILDRED  KEITH.  47 

the  short  flight  cf  steps  that  led  from  the  stern 
to  the  deck,  and  found  them  seats  on  some  of 
their  own  trunks. 

There  were  a  number  of  other  passengers 
sitting  about  or  pacing  to  and  fro ;  among 
the  former  a  burly  German  who  sat  flat  on  the 
deck  at  the  stern  end  of  the  boat,  his  long  legs 
dangling  over  the  edge,  his  elbow  on  his  knee 
and  his  bearded  chin  in  his  hand,  gazing  out 
idly  over  the  moonlight  landscape,  while 
wreaths  of  smoke  from  a  pipe  in  his  mouth, 
curled  slowly  up  from  his  lips. 

The  Pauline  glided  onward  with  easy  pleas 
ant  motion ;  all  had  grown  quiet  in  the  cabin 
below  and  the  song  of  the  bullfrogs,  the  dull 
thud  of  the  horses'  hoofs  and  the  gentle  rush  of 
the  water  against  the  sides  of  the  boat,  were  the 
only  sounds  that  broke  the  stillness. 

"  How  nice  it  is  here  !"  exclaimed  Mildred, 
•*  the  breeze  is  so  refreshing,  the  moonlight  so 
bewitching !" 

"Yes,  the  country  is  looking  beautiful/ 
said  her  mother,  "  and  one  gets  a  good  view 
of  it  here ;  but  I  feel  somewhat  apprehensive  in 
regard  to  the  bridges.  We  must  be  on  the 
watch  for  them  and  dodge  in  time." 

"  "We  will,"  said  her  husband  ;  "  though  we 
may  pretty  safely  trust  to  the  steersman  ;  ?t  is- 


18  MILDRED  KEITH. 

his  duty  to  be  on  the  lookout  and  give  timely 
warning." 

"  Well,  we're  facing  in  the  right  direction 
to  see  them,"  remarked  Rupert,  "  but  thkt 
Dutchman  back  there  is  not.  1  s'pose  he's  safe 
enough,  though,  with  the  man  at  the  helm  to 
eing  out  as  we  near  them." 

"With  that  they  fell  into  talk  on  other 
topics,  and  thought  no  more  of  the  smoker. 

"  Bridge !"  sang  out  the  steersman,  and 
xiown  went  every  head  except  that  of  the  Ger- 
uian,  who  sat  and  smoked  on  unmoved. 

"  Bridge  !"  The  cry  was  repeated  in  louder 
more  emphatic  tones. 

"  Yah,  pridge,  pridge  1"  responded  the 
German  straightening  up  a  little,  nodding  hia 
iiead  assentingly,  but  not  looking  round. 

"  Bridge !"  sang  out  the  steersman  for  the 
thir^  time,  "  bridge,  you  stupid  lout  1  dodge 
or"- 

But  the  boat  was  already  sweeping  under, 
*md  the  bridge  taking  the  German  across  hia 
uhoulders  threw  him  with  sudden  violence  to 
the  platform  below,  whence  he  rolled  over  into 
the  canal,  uttering  a  half  stifled  cry  for  help 
le  the  water  closed  over  him. 

But  he  rose  again  instantly  panting  and 
spluttering,  and  striking  out  vigorously  fo» 


MILDRED  KEITH.  *» 

the  boat ;  he  presently  succeeded  :n  laying 
hold  of  the  edge  of  the  platform,  and,  the 
steersman  lending  him  a  helping  hand,  clam, 
bered  on  board,  crestfallen  and  dripping,  whi]» 
the  crowd  on  deck,  seeing  him  safe,  indulged 
in  a  hearty  laugh  at  his  expense. 

"  I  loss  mein  bipe,"  he  said  ruefully,  shrug- 
ging his  shoulders  and  shaking  the  water  from 
his  clothes. 

"  Well,  you  got  a  free  bath  in  exchange  and 
may  be  thankful  you  didn't  lose  your  life,"  re- 
marked the  steersman  with  a  grin.  "  Next 
time  I  call  out  bridge  I  guess  you'll  duck  your 
head  like  the  rest." 

The  rain  had  been  falling  heavily  all  night, 
but  the  sun  shone  brightly,  and  the  clouds  were- 
flying  before  a  high  wind  that  blew  fresh  and 
cool  from  Lake  Erie  as  the  Pauline  glided 
quietly  into  Cleveland. 

"What  a  beautiful  city!"  exclaimed  the 
young  Keiths  as  they  stepped  ashore.  "  Do 
let  us  walk  to  the  hotel,  father,  if  it  is  not  too- 
for." 

"Just  as  Aunt  Wealthy  and  your  mother 
say,"  he  replied,  taking  the  baby  from  his  wife. 
"  I  am  told  it  is  but  a  short  distance,  Marcia  ; 
1  will  have  our  heavy  baggage  carried  directly 
to  the  steamer  which  leaves  this  afternoon  j, 
3 


-SO  MILDRED  KEITH. 

*nd  Rupert  and  the  girls  can  take  charge  of  the 
satchels  and  small  packages." 

The  ladies  decided  in  favor  of  tho  walk  as 
afiording  agreeable  exercise  and  enabling  them 
to  see  the  city  to  better  advantage  than  if  cooped 
up  in  hack  or  omnibus,  and  no  one  regretted 
their  choice:  they  found  the  wide  streets  so  clean, 
the  breeze  so  refreshing  and  exhilarating,  and  en- 
joyed so  very  much  gazing  upon  the  tall,  elegant 
looking  houses  and  the  pretty  things  displayed 
in  the  windows  of  the  large,  handsome  stores. 

After  a  good  dinner  at  the  hotel,  Mr.  Keith 
his  wife  and  older  children,  went  out  for  another 
etroll  about  the  city ;  Miss  Stanhope,  who  in- 
sisted that  she  had  had  exercise  enough,  and 
preferred  to  stay  where  she  was,  taking  charge 
of  the  little  ones  in  their  absence. 

On  the  return  of  the  pedestrians  the  whole 
party  went  on  board  the  steamer  which  was  to 
convey  them  across  the  lake  to  Detroit.  It 
was  a  fine  boat,  the  cabin  large  and  handsome; 
staterooms  on  each  side  furnished  with  berths 
of  far  more  comfortable  size  than  those  of  the 
canal  packets. 

The  table  here  was  better,  too,  both  in  its 
appointments  and  the  quality  of  the  food,  and 
was  set  in  a  lower  saloon,  reached  from  the 
Capper  one  by  a  flight  of  broad  winding  stairs. 


MILDRED  KEITH.  51 

The  children  were  delighted  with  the 
change  and  wanted  to  be  on  the  guards  all 
afternoon,  watching  the  play  of  the  great  stero 
wheel,  admiring  the  rainbows  in  the  clouds  oi 
epray  it  sent  up,  looking  out  over  the  widt 
waste  of  waters,  at  the  islands  and  an  occasional 
passing  boat,  or  racing  back  and  forth. 

Mildred  and  Rupert  were  given  charge  oi 
the  three  little  ones  and  found  great  vigilance 
necessary  to  prevent  Cyril  and  Don  from  putting 
themselves  in  peril  of  their  lives.  Mildred  was 
more  than  once  sorely  tempted  to  shake  the 
young  rogues  who  gave  her  no  peace ;  but,  re- 
membering and  acting  upon  her  mother's  ad- 
vice, was  able  to  restrain  herself  and  treat  them 
with  uniform  gentleness. 

She  felt  rewarded  when,  as  she  was  putting 
them  to  bed,  her  mother  being  busy  with  the 
babe,  Don  threw  his  arms  impulsively  round 
her  neck  and  kissing  her  again  and  again,  said 
"  I  loves  you,  Milly ;  you  so  dood  to  us  naughty 
chillens." 

"That  she  is!"   assented   Cyril,  heartily, 
an'  I  wish  I  didn't  be  so  baa." 

"  Well,  try  again  to-morrow  to  be  ever  so 
good,"  Mildred  answered,  tucking  them  in  and 
leaving  them  with  a  good-night  kiss. 

She  helped  her  sisters  with  their  prepara 


58  MILDRED   KEITH. 

tions  for  the  night,  then  was  rewarded  with  » 
delightful  evening  spent  with  the  older  mem- 
bers  of  the  family  in  the  open  air,  looking  out 
upon  the  beautiful  wide  expanse  of  waters,  now 
starlit  and  anon  illumined  by  the  silvery  rays 
of  the  moon  as  she  rose  apparently  from  the 
distant  eastern  edge  of  the  lake  and  slowly  as- 
cended the  azure  vault  of  the  heavens,  now 
shining  resplendently  and  again  veiling  her 
fair  face  for  a  moment  with  a  thin  floating 
cloud. 

The  next  morning  the  steamer  lay  at  anchor 
in  Detroit  harbor  and  our  friends  left  her  for  a 
hotel  in  what  was  then  the  principal  street  of 
the  city.  Here,  too,  they  walked  out  to  view 
the  land,  and  passing  the  stores  and  public 
buildings,  found  well-shaded  streets  and  hand- 
gome  residences  with  pretty  door-yards  in 
front. 

Mr.  Keith  gave  his  children  their  choice  of 
passing  around  tHe  lakes  in  a  steamer  or  in  the 
sloop  Queen  Charlotte.  They  chose  the  latler 
and  the  next  morning  the  family  and  their  Ing- 
gage  were  transferred  to  her  decks. 

The  ladies  pointed  out  the  articles  they 
wished  carried  to  their  staterooms  and  followed 
3n  the  wake  of  the  bearers. 

There  was  less  of  show  here  than  on  the 


MILDRED   RE1TB.  63 

steamer  they  had  left,  but  comfort  and  conve- 
nience had  not  been  overlooked,  and  though 
Mildred's  face  clouded  a  little,  it  brightened 
again  in  a  moment  as  she  noted  the  cheerful 
content  in  those  of  her  mother  and  aunt. 

They  hurried  on  deck  again  where  Rupert 
had  been  left  in  charge  of  the  younger  children, 
to  watch  the  vessel  getting  under  way. 

They  were  lying  close  to  a  steamer  on  whose 
other  side  was  a  second  sloop  in  quite  as  close 
proximity.  All  seemed  hurry  and  bustle  on 
board  the  three. 

"  I  don't  see  how  we  are  to  start,"  observed 
Mildred,  glancing  up  at  the  sails  which  hung 
almost  motionless  on  the  masts,  "  for  there's 
scarcely  a  breath  of  wind." 

"  Don't  you  see  that  they're  lashing  us  and 
the  Milwaukee  yonder  fast  to  the  steamboat, 
one  on  each  side  I"  said  Rupert.  "  She's  to  tow 
both  till  the  wind  gets  up." 

"  Oh,  is  that  the  way  ?  she'll  have  hard  work 
to  do  it,  I  should  think." 

"  Shs  won't  growl  any  way." 

"  No,  I  suppose  not.  Which  is  the  captain, 
Ru.T 

"  That  nice  jolly  looking  chap  over  yonder, 
that's  giving  orders  in  such  a  loud  peremptory 
tone,  is  Captain  Wells,  master  of  the  ship ;  that 


64  MILDRED   KEITH. 

blue  eyed,  brown  haired,  rosy  cheeked  stripling 
standing  near  is  his  son,  Edward  Wells ;  and 
they're  both  English ;  so  don't  remind  them  that 
this  vessel  was  taken  from  the  British  in  the 
last  war." 

"  Of  course  not,  unless  they  say  something 
mean  or  exasperating  about  Washington  01 
America." 

"  In  that  case  I  give  you  leave  to  twit  'em 
as  hard  as  you  like." 

"Who  was  that  nice  looking  man  that 
helped  us  on  board  ?  I  thought  father  or  some- 
body called  him  captain." 

"  So  he  is,  Captain  Jones ;  but  acting  aa 
first  mate  here.  That  lady,  talking  to  mother 
•md  Aunt  Wealthy,  is  his  wife.  They're  both 
Tankees ;  so  you  can  relieve  your  mind  occa- 
lionally  on  the  subject  of  the  ship,  by  a  little 
private  exultation  with  them. 

"  Do  yon  notice  the  contrast  between  those 
\wo  faces  ? — mother's  and  Mrs.  Jones' ;  hers  so 
iark,  mother's  so  beautifully  fair  and  rosy." 

"  Who  could  help  noticing  it  ?  Kupert,  I 
dc  think  our  mother  has  just  the  loveliest  face 
in  the  world!" 

"  Ditto  1"  he  said,  gazing  at  her  with  a 
world  of  filial  love,  pride  and  chivalrrc  admira- 
tion in  his  handsome  eyes. 


MILDRED    KEITH.  55 

"  1  say  what's  the  use  ?  you  may  just  as  well 
set  still  where  you  hare,"  growled  a  voice  near 
at  hand. 

The  young  people  turned  involuntarily  at 
the  sound,  and  perceived  that  the  speaker  was  a 
burly,  red-faced  young  Englishman ;  the  one  so 
politely  and  kindly  addressed,  a  little  meek- 
eyed  woman  of  the  same  nationality,  with  a 
chalky  complexion,  and  washed  out  appearance 
generally,  who,  as  they  afterward  learned,  and 
suspected  at  the  time,  was  the  wife  of  his 
bosom. 

"'"What  a  bear!'  exclaimed  Kupert  in  an 
aside  to  his  sister,  and  drawing  her  away  as  he 
spoke.  "  See,  we're  beginning  to  move. 
Let's  go  over  to  the  other  side  where  we  can 
have  a  better  view." 

"  I  presume  that's  what  she  wanted  to  do," 
remarked  Mildred,  glancing  back  at  the  meek- 
eyed  woman.  "  And  why  shouldn't  he  have 
let  her?" 

"  "Why,  indeed,  except  that  he's  a  cowardly 
bully." 

"  How  do  you  know  ?" 

"  Because  that's  the  only  kind  of  man  that 
would  speak  so  to  a  decent  woman/ 


"  Hark  I  to  the  hurried  question  of  despair  : 
1  Where  is  my  child  f  and  echo  answers  '  where  f 

— BTBOH. 

'  How  did  you  learn  all  you've  been  telling 
me,  Eu.  ?"  asked  Mildred  as  they  stood  side  by 
side  watching  with  interest  the  Queen  Char- 
lotte and  her  consorts  slowly  clearing  the  har- 
bor. "  Oh,  easily  enough  ;  young  Wells  and  I 
got  into  talk  while  you  and  the  others  were 
down  in  the  cabin ;  I  asked  questions  and  he 
answered  'em.  Ah,  here  he  comes,"  he  added 
looking  round,  "  I'll  introduce  him  for  he's  a 
nice  fellow,  I'm  sure,  and  it's  a  good  thing  to 
have  a  friend  at  court ;  in  other  words  to  be  in 
favor  with  the  reigning  powers ;  i.  e.  the  cap- 
tain and  his  nearest  of  kin.  My  sister,  Miss 
Mildred  Keith,  Mr.  Wells." 

"  Happy  to  make  your  acquaintance,  Miss,' 
said  the  young  sailor,  gallantly,  lifting  his  hat 
and  bowing  low.  "  Hope  yon'll  enjoy  your 
voyage  on  the  Queen  Charbtte  Shall  be  most 


MILDRED    KEITH.  51 

happy  to  do  all  I  can  to  make  the  trip  pleasant 
to  you 

"  Thank  you  kindly." 

He  began  at  once  by  finding  comfortable 
seats  for  them  where  they  were  sheltered  from 
the  sun,  and  had  a  good  view  of  the  Canada 
and  Michigan  shores;  and  being  acquainted 
with  the  localities,  and  their  history,  and  pos- 
sessed of  a  ready  command  of  language,  he 
added  much  to  the  interest  of  the  scene  by  the 
information  he  imparted ;  sometimes  unsolicited, 
at  others  in  answer  to  questions. 

When  they  had  passed  through  Detroit 
river  and  so  far  out  into  Lake  St.  Glair  that 
little  could  be  seen  but  water  and  sky,  he 
offered  to  show  them  over  the  vessel. 

They  gladly  accepted,  enjoyed  the  tour,  and 
when  it  was  over  rejoined  the  rest  of  their  party 
just  as  the  cabin  passengers  were  summoneil 
to  the  supper  table. 

Mildred  was  seated  between  Kupert  and 
Elward  Wells;  opposite  them  sat  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Sims,  the  bullying  Euglishman  and  hie 
meek-eyed  wife,  and  a  bachelor  gentleman  of 
pleasing  countenance  and  manners,  whom  Cap- 
tain Wells  addressed  as  Mr.  Carr.  Next  them 
were  Captain  and  Mrs.  Jones.  There  were 
many  more  passengers  of  both  sexes,  sever** 
3* 


58  MILDRED   KEITH. 

nationalities,  and  a  variety  of  agea  from  in 
fants  in  arms,  up  to  hoary  headed  grandpa- 
rents, but  with  most  of  them  our  story  has 
little  or  nothing  to  do 

The  two  captains,  the  wife  of  the  one  and 
the  son  of  the  other,  were  polite  and  genial 
the  fare  was  excellent,  and  every  one  present 
seemed  disposed  to  contentment  and  good 
tiumor  except  Mr.  Sims,  who  turned  up  his  nose 
at  the  food,  snubbed  his  wife  and  scowled  at 
his  opposite  neighbors  ;  perchance  reading  too 
plainly  in  the  frank,  youthful  countenances 
their  disapproval  of  him. 

Mildred  so  compassionated  the  long-suffer- 
ing wife  that,  in  the  course  of  the  evening, 
seeing  her  sitting  by  herself  and  looking  sad 
and  lonely,  she  drew  near  and  opened  a  con- 
versation. 

Mrs.  Sims  responded  readily. 

"Do  sit  down,  Miss,"  she  said,  making 
room  for  Mildred  by  her  side,  "  I'm  so  glad  to 
'ave  some  one  to  speak  to,  for  I  gets  hawfnl 
'omesick  at  times." 

"  Ah,  that  must  be  a  very  trying  feeling," 
Mildred  said  compassionately.  "  I  know  noth- 
ing of  it  myself;  for  I've  never  been  awaj 
from  home  or  mother  for  a  week  at  a  time." 

"  Well,  Miss,  you're  fortunate." 


MILDRED   KEITH.  69 

"  Have  you  been  long  in  the  country  ?" 

"  It's  barely  six  months,  Miss,  since  I  left 
me  father's  'ouse  in  London.  We  kept  an 
'otel  there ;  an'  that's  'ow  I  came  to  know  Mr 
Sims;  he  takin'  lodgin'  with  us  while  up  to 
London  about  some  business  'e  'ad  with  the 
"awyers." 

"  And  are  your  own  family  all  still  in  Eng- 
and  ?" 

"  Yes,  Miss ;  hevery  one ;  I  left  'em  all — 
father,  mother,  brothers  and  sisters — for  'im," 
she  answered  with  a  tremble  in  her  voice  ana 
wiping  her  eyes  furtively. 

"  What  a  shame  he  should  treat  you  as  he 
does  !"  was  the  indignant  exclamation  that  rose 
to  Mildred's  lips,  but  she  checked  herself  in 
time,  and  changed  it  for,  "  Then  I  think  he 
ought  to  be  very  good  to  you." 

"  I  'ope  we'll  be  'appy,  Miss,  when  we're 
settled  down  in  a  'ome  of  our  own,"  remarked 
the  little  woman  with  a  half  stifled  patient 
sigh.  "  And  indeed  it's  not  'alf  so  bad  as  I 
expected ;  I've  been  hastonished,  at  finding  so 
many  white  women  in  America.  I  thought 
when  I  landed  in  New  York  I?d  be  the  honly 
white  woman  there.  I  s'posed  all  the  rest 
would  be  Injuns  or  niggers." 

"  Indeed  1    how  relieved  you  must  have 


«0  MILDRED    KEITH. 

been  on  discovering  your  mistake,"  remarked 
Mildred  demurely,  while  her  eyes  twinkled 
with  suppressed  fun. 

"  That  I  was,  Miss,  as  you  may  well  be 
lieve ;  it  quite  reconciled  me  to  the  country." 

The  sun  rose  brightly  the  next  morning 
and  the  young  Keiths  were  early  on  deck, 
romping  and  racing  about,  full  of  the  vivacity 
and  mirth  usually  incident  to  extreme  youth 
and  perfect  health. 

They  were  well  watched  over  by  their 
father,  Mildred  and  Rupert,  or  there  is  nc 
knowing  what  wild  and  dangerous  pranks 
anight  have  been  indulged  in  by  Cyril  and  Don. 

The  former  actually  proposed  a  flying  leap 
from  the  deck  of  the  Queen  Charlotte  to  that 
of  the  steamer  and  was  not  at  all  pleased  by 
the  decided  veto  put  upon  it  by  his  father. 

"  I  think  you  might  let  a  fellow  try,  papa,' 
he  grumbled,  "it  would  be  such  fun  and  1 
know  I  could  do  it." 

"  No,  you  couldna,"  said  Don,  peeping  over 
the  ship's  side,  "  it's  a  big,  big  place." 

"  Come  over  to  the  other  side  of  the  deck, 
and  stay  there,"  said  Mr.  Keith,  leading  them 
away. 

Rupert  followed  holding  Fan  by  the  hand 
"  What  was  that  ?  what  were  they  throwing 


MILDRED   SKITS.  61 

in  ?"  he  asked,  stopping  suddenly  at  a  sound  as 
of  a  heavy  body  plunging  into  the  water,  while 
at  the  same  instant  a  startled  cry  came  from 
the  deck  of  the  Milwaukee. 

"  A  man  overboard  1 " 

"  A  man  overboard  1 "  the  fearful  cry  was 
taken  up  and  repeated  on  all  sides  amid  the 
rush  of  many  feet  and  the  quick,  sharp  imper- 
ative words  of  command. 

Almost  instantly  a  boat  was  lowered  and 
strong  arms  were  pulling  with  swift,  vigorous 
strokes  for  the  spot,  already  left  far  behind, 
where  the  splash  of  the  falling  body  had  been 
heard,  and  keen  eyes  were  eagerly  searching 
the  waste  of  waters ;  the  crews  and  passengers 
of  the  three  vessels  crowding  the  decks  and 
following  their  movements  in  breathless  anxiety 
and  suspense. 

They  pulled  backward  and  forward,  calling 
out  to  the  drowning  one  that  help  was  near. 

"  Ah,  yonder  he  is  at  last ! "  cries  a  woman's 
voice  in  exultant  tones ;  u  there  he  is  with  his 
head  above  water,  for  I  see  his  hat." 

"  And  they  see  him  too,  and  are  pulling  to 
ward  him  with  all  their  might  1" 

"  Ah,  they're  up  with  him !  they  have  him 
now  I  hurrah  1"  and  a  wild  cheer  rose  from  hun- 
dreds of  throats. 


MILDRED   KEITH, 

But  it  died  away  in  a  groan. 

"  It  was  his  hat — only  his  hat,  poor  fellow . 
»nd  they've  given  it  up  and  are  coming  back 
without  him ! "  sighs  the  woman  who  had  beec 
the  first  to  raise  the  alarm. 

Every  face  wears  a  look  of  sadness  for  the 
few  moments  of  silent  waiting  as  the  rowers 
slowly  return. 

They  gain  the  deck  of  the  Milwaukee ;  one 
of  thorn — a  lad  of  nineteen  or  twenty,  a  rough, 
hardy  sailor — comes  forward  with  a  subdued 
manner — in  strange  contrast  to  his  accustomed 
rude  hilarity — lips  white  and  quivering,  tears 
in  his  manly  eyes. 

"  Mother,  mother,"  he  says,  low  and  huskily, 
Irawing  near  this  woman  with  tottering  steps, 
"don't — don't  take  it  too  hard.  I — I  couldn't 
bear  to  see  you.  I  did  my  best ;  we  all  did ; 
but  we  couldn't  find  him;  and  here's  his  hat 
It—it  was  little  Billy." 

"  My  boy !  mine !  my  little  one !"  she 
shrieked,  and  fell  fainting  into  the  arms  of  her 
elder  son. 

There  was  not  a  dry  eye  among  the  spea 
tators,  and  as  the  sad  story  spread  to  the  other 
vessels  many  a  tremulous  tone  and  falling  tear 
attested  the  pity  and  sympathy  of  those  who 
told  the  tale  and  those  who  listened  to  it. 


MILDRED   KEITH.  68 

"  But  how  did  it  happen  ?  "  queried  one  and 
anothei ;  and  the  answer  was,  "  He  was  jump- 
ing back  and  forth  from  one  vessel  to  another, 
and  fell  in  between  the  Milwaukee  and  the 
steamer;  and  it  is  conjectured  that  he  must 
have  been  struck  by  the  wheel,  as  he  did  not 
come  up  again." 

"And  it  might  have  been  one  of  ours," 
sobbed  Mrs.  Keith,  clasping  her  babe  to  her 
breast,  while  her  eye  glanced  from  one  to  an- 
other of  her  darlings.  "  Ah,  how  frightened  I 
was  when  I  heard  the  cry.  I  don't  know  how 
I  got  up  the  cabin  steps  !  for  I  thought  it  was 
perhaps — " 

Tears  choked  her  utterance  ;  tears  of  min- 
gled gratitude  for  herself  and  sorrow  for  the 
bereaved  mother. 

"Yes,  it  might  have  been  you,  Cyril  or 
Don ;  and  think  how  poor  mother's  heart  would 
have  been  broken,  and  mine  too,"  Mr.  Keith 
added,  sitting  down  and  taking  one  on  each 
knee.  "Now  do  you  want  to  try  jumping 
across  like  that  boy  did  2" 

They  shook  their  heads,  gazing  up  into  Ilia 
face  with  awe-struck  countenances. 

The  sad  event  of  the  morning  seemed  to 
have  exerted  a  subduing  influence  upon  all  the 
passengers ;  it  was  a  very  quiet  day  on  board. 


64  MILDRED   KEITH. 

The  calm  continued  throughout  the  day 
but  a  breeze  sprang  up  in  the  night  and  the 
vessels  parted  company. 

By  daylight  the  breeze  had  stiffened  into  ft 
wind  that  made  the  lake  very  rough ;  the  ship 
tossed  about  on  the  waves  with  a  motion  by  no 
means  agreeable  to  the  land  lubbers  in  her 
cabin  and  steerage ;  everything  not  made  fast 
to  floor  or  walls  went  dashing  and  rolling  from 
side  to  side  of  stateroom  or  saloon  ;  few  of  the 
passengers  cared  to  breakfast,  and  those  who 
made  the  attempt  had  to  do  so  under  serious 
difficulties — table  and  floor  being  both  inclined 
planes,  sloping  now  in  one  direction  now  in  an- 
other. 

They  passed  a  miserable  day,  confined  to 
the  cabin,  for  the  rain  was  falling  heavily  and 
the  great  waves  would  now  and  then  sweep 
across  the  deck. 

Still  the  captain  assured  them  the  storm 
was  not  a  bad  one  and  they  were  in  no  danger. 

By  the  next  day  it  had  abated  so  that  they 
Gould  seek  the  outer  air,  going  about  without 
experiencing  much  difficulty  in  preserving  the, 
centre  of  gravity ;  and  nearly  every  one  had  so 
far  recovered  from  the  deathly  sea-sickness  as. 
to  be  able  to  appear  at  meals. 

Life  on  shipboard  which  had  seemed  quite 


MILDRED   KEITH.  65 

dreadful  during  the  long  hours  of  the  storm, 
oecame  very  tolerable  again. 

The  older  people  promenaded  the  deck  or 
eat  there  with  book  or  work,  or  merely  chatting 
and  looking  out  upon  the  restless  waters,  while 
the  children  amused  themselves  with  their 
plays  or  in  running  about  exploring  every  nook 
and  cranny  and  making  acquaintance  with  the 
sailors  who  seemed  to  enjoy  their  innocent  prat- 
tle and  merry  ways. 

All  the  Keiths  had  suffered  from  sea-sick- 
ness and  Mildred  was  among  the  last  to  recover ; 
it  was  not  until  towards  sunset  of  the  second 
day  that  she  could  be  induced  to  leave  her  berth 
and  allow  her  father  to  assist  her  up  the  cabin 
stairs  to  the  deck. 

Here  a  couch  had  been  prepared  for  her  and 
the  loving  hands  of  mother  and  aunt  busied 
themselves  in  making  her  comfortable.  Broth- 
ers and  sisters  gathered  rejoicingly  around. 
Mrs.  Jones  brought  a  glass  of  lemonade,  Mrs. 
Sims  offered  smelling  salts,  some  one  else  a  fan, 
and  presently  the  two  captains  and  young  Wells 
came  up  to  offer  their  congratulations  on  her 
recovery. 

Then  Cyril  and  Don  led  up  and  introduced 
Mr.  Carr,  the  bachelor  gentleman  with  whom 
they  had  already  formed  a  firm  friendship. 


66  MILDRED  KEITH. 

"  He's  a  real  nice  man,  Milly,"  said  Cyril ; 
"  kaows  lots  of  stories  and  games  and  things, 
and— " 

"  An'  p'ays  wis  boys,"  put  in  Bon,  "  and  tan 
do  every  fing." 

"Yes,  he's  weal  dood,''  chimed  in  Fan. 
"  and  I  likes  him." 

"  Thank  you,  my  little  maid,"  said  the  gen- 
tleman, laughing  and  stroking  her  curls.  "  Now 
if  you  could  only  get  your  sister  to  look  at  me 
through  your  spectacles." 

"  Why,  I  hasn't  dot  any  'pectacles !"  ox- 
claimed  the  child,  opening  her  eyes  very  wide 
"  Maybe  papa  buy  me  some  when  I  dets  an  old 
lady.  Den  I  lets  Milly  'ook  froo." 

"That's  my  good,  generous  little  sister,* 
Mildred  said,  laughing,  "  and  if  I'm  so  fortu 
nate  as  to  get  glasses  first,  you  shall  borrow 
them  whenever  you  wish." 

"  Now  go  to  your  plays,  dears,  and  let  sister 
rest  till  she  feels  better,"  said  their  mother. 

"  Please  turn  wis  us,  Mr.  Tarr,"  said  Don 
tugging  at  that  gentleman's  coat. 

"  Don,  Don,  you  must  not — " 

"Ah,  don't  reprove  him,"  interposed  the 
gentleman,  lifting  the  child  to  his  shoulder  and 
prancing  away  with  him,  while  the  little  fellow 
shouted  with  laughter  and  delight. 


MILDRED  KEITH.  67 

u  Isn't  ho  a  nice  man  ?"  cried  Zillah  and 
Ada,  looking  after  him,  "we  all  like  hixn  ever 
so  much." 

"  Yes,"  assented  the  mother, "  but  I  am  very 
much  afraid  my  children  impose  upon  his  good 
nature." 

"Don't  let  that  trouble  you,  Mrs.  Keith; 
he  is  surely  able  to  take  care  of  himself.  Be- 
sides it's  quite  evident  that  he  enjoys  their  soci- 
ety as  much  as  they  do  his,"  said  Edward  Wells, 
taking  a  seat  near  Mildred's  couch,  where  he 
remained  chatting  in  a  lively  strain  with  her 
and  the  other  ladies  until  it  was  time  for  them 
to  retire  to  the  cabin. 

Fair  weather  and  favorable  winds  made  the 
i  «maining  days  of  the  voyage  a  pleasure  till  one 
bright  June  morning  they  entered  the  Straits 
of  Mackinaw  and  reaching  the  island  of  the 
same  name,  anchored  in  front  of  its  fort. 

The  captain,  informing  his  passengers  that 
the  ship  would  lie  there  for  a  day  or  two,  good 
naturedly  offered  to  take  ashore  any  or  all  who 
would  like  to  go. 

Nearly  everybody  eagerly  accepted.  The 
boats  put  off  from  the  ship,  each  with  a  for 
complement  of  passengers,  whom  they  landed 
just  under  the  white  walls  of  the  fortress,  situ 
*te  on  a  bluff  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  high 


68  MILDRED   KEITH. 

Passing  up  a  flight  of  stone  steps  they  en 
tered  the  parade  ground.  It  was  smooth,  hard 
and  clean  as  a  well  swept  floor.  They  walked 
across  and  about  it,  viewing  the  officers'  quar- 
ters (on  the  outside)  and  the  barracks  of  the 
men,  walked  along  by  the  wall,  noting  how  it 
commanded  the  harbor  and  the  village  of  Mack- 
inaw, with  its  great  guns,  beside  each  of  which 
lay  a  pile  of  black  balls  heaped  up  in  pyramidal 
foim. 

Then  they  visited  the  town,  saw  some  In- 
dians and  bought  curious  little  bark  baskets  or 
namented  with  porcupine  quills,  blue,  red  and 
white,  and  filled  with  maple  sugar ;  moccasins, 
too,  made  of  soft  skins  and  heavily  trimmed 
with  bead  work,  all  manufactured  by  the 
Indians. 

The  young  Keiths  were  made  happy  with 
a  pair  of  moccasins  apiece  from  their  father, 
bark  baskets  from  their  mother  and  aunt,  and 
unlimited  maple  sugar  from  their  friend  Mr. 
Carr. 

They  returned  to  the  ship  tired  but  fuU  of 
Content. 

They  were  as  usual  early  on  deck  the  next 
morning,  a  little  before  the  rising  of  the  sun, 
for  they  "  liked  to  see  him  come  up  out  of  the 
water." 


MILDRED  KE1TB.. 

u  How  very  still  it  is !  hardly  a  breath 
of  air  stirring,"  Mildred  was  saying  to  her 
father  as  Edward  Wells  drew  near  the  little 
group,  all  standing  together  looking  eagerly 
for  the  first  glimpse  of  the  sun's  bright  face. 

"  Yes,  we  are  becalmed,"  said  Mr.  Keith. 

"  And  very  possibly  may  be  detained  here 
for  several  days  in  consequence,"  added  Edward, 
greeting  them  with  a  cheerful  good-morning. 
"  In  that  case  we  will  have  an  opportunity  to 
explore  the  island.  May  I  have  the  pleasure 
of  being  your  guide  in  so  doing  ?" 

"  Do  you  mean  all  of  us  ?"  queried  Cyril. 

"  Yes,  my  man ;  if  you  will  all  go  ?"  an- 
swered the  sailor  lad  ;  but  the  glance  of  his 
eye  seemed  to  extend  the  invitation  to  Mildred 
in  particular. 

"  O  father,  can  we  ?  can  we  I"  chorused  the 
children. 

"  We  will  see ;"  he  said.  "  Now  watch  or 
vou'll  miss  the  sight  we  left  cur  beds  so  early 
for." 

The  matter  was  under  discussion  at  the 
breakfast  table  and  afterward,  and  it  was  de- 
cided that  all  might  go  ashore,  but  that  the 
walk  under  contemplation  was  too  long  for  the 
b'ttle  ones. 

Ada  Keith  was  the  youngest  of  that 


70  MILDRED   KEITH. 

vrho  was  permitted  to  go ;  but  others  joined 
them  and  Edward  found  himself  at  the  head  of 
quite  a  party  of  explorers. 

Ada  came  back  looking  heated,  weary  and 
troubled.  "  O  mother,"  she  cried,  with  tears  in 
her  eyes,  "  we  saw  a  cave  where  some  French- 
men were  hiding  from  the  Indians  and  got 
smoked  to  death ;  the  Indians  did  it  by  build- 
ing a  fire  at  the  cave's  mouth,  because  they 
couldn't  get  at  them  to  kill  them  some  othei 
way.  Oh,  I'm  so  afraid  of  the  savages;  do 
persuade  father  to  take  us  all  back  to  Ohio 
again !" 

The  mother  soothed  and  comforted  the 
frightened  child  with  caresses  and  assurances 
of  the  present  peaceable  disposition  of  the  In 
dians,  and  at  length  succeeded  in  so  far  banish- 
ing  her  fears  that  she  was  willing  to  proceed 
upon  her  journey. 

However,  the  calm  continuing,  nearly  a 
week  passed  and  many  excursions  had  been 
wade  to  the  island  before  they  could  quit  its 
harbor. 

At  length  one  day  directly  after  dinner,  a 
favorable  wind  having  sprung  up,  the  good  ship 
weighed  anchor  and  pursuing  her  westward 
course  passed  out  of  the  straits  into  Lake 
Michigan. 


MILDRED    KEITH.  71 

All  night  she  flew  before  the  wind  and 
xrhen  our  friends  awoke  the  following  morning 
she  rode  safely  at  anchor  in  the  harbor  of 
Chicago. 

Though  a  large  city  now,  it  was  then  a 
town  of  less  than  five  thousand  inhabitants. 

This  was  the  port  of  the  Queen  Charlotte 
and  her  passengers  must  be  landed,  her  cargo 
discharged. 

It  was  with  feelings  of  regret  on  both  sides 
that  her  officers  and  the  Keiths  parted  ;  Ed- 
ward Wells  taking  an  opportunity  to  say  in  an 
undertone  to  Mildred  that  he  hoped  they  would 
sometime  meet  again. 

St.  Joseph,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  lake, 
was  the  next  port  whither  the  Keiths  were 
bound.  A  much  smaller  vessel  carried  them 
across. 

They  had  a  rough  passage,  wind  and  rain 
compelling  them  to  keep  closely  housed  in  a 
little  confined  cabin,  and  were  glad  to  reach 
the  town  of  St.  Joseph  ;  though  they  found  it 
hut  a  dreary  spot,  no  grass,  no  trees,  the  hotel 
a  large,  barn-like,  two  story  building,  with  the 
hot  summer  sun  streaming  in  through  its  win. 
dows  without  hindrance  from  curtain  or  blind  ; 
for  tbe  rain  ceased  about  the  time  of  their 
arrival  and  the  sun  shone  out  with  fervid  heat 


72  MILDRED   KEITH. 

during  the  two  or  three  days  that  they  wore 
detained  there,  resting  the  Sabbath  day  and 
awaiting  the  arrival  of  their  household  goods 
before  ascending  the  St.  Joseph  river,  on  which 
Pleasant  Plains,  their  final  destination,  was 
situated. 

There  were  no  railroads  in  that  part  of  the 
country  then,  nor  for  many  years  after ;  I  think 
there  was  no  stage  route  between  the  two 
places ;  there  were  no  steamers  on  the  river ; 
'lie  best  they  could  do  was  to  take  a  keel-boat. 

The  rain  had  ceased  and  the  sun  shone 
brightly  on  the  rippling,  dancing  waters  of  the 
lake  and  river,  on  the  little  town  and  the  green 
fields  and  forests  of  the  adjacent  country,  as 
they  went  on  board  the  keel-boat  Mary  Ann, 
and  set  out  upon  this  the  last  stage  of  their  long 
Journey. 

The  boatmen  toiled  at  their  oars  and  the 
Mary  Ann  moved  slowly  on  against  the  cur- 
rent, slowly  enough  to  give  our  travelers  abun- 
iance  of  time  to  take  in  the  beauties  of  the 
scenery;  which  they,  the  older  ones  at  least 
lid  not  fail  to  do. 

Much  of  it  was  unbroken  forest,  but  they 
passed  sometimes  a  solitary  clearing  with  its 
lonely  log  cabin,  sometimes  a  little  village 
The  river  flowe^  swiftly  along,  clear  and  spark- 


MILDRED    KEITH.  Tfc 

ling,  between  banks  now  low,  now  high,  green 
to  the  water's  edge. 

The  sun  was  nearing  the  western  horizor 
as,  at  last,  the  boat  was  run  in  close  to  shor* 
and  made  fast,  with  the  announcement,  "  Here 
we  are,  strangers;  this  here's  the  town  of 
Pleasant  Plains." 


44  Nor  need  we  power  or  splendor, 

"Wide  hal*.  or  lordly  dome ; 
The  good,  the  true,  the  tender, 
These  form  the  wealth  of  home." 

—MBS.  HAM. 

PLEASANT  PLAINS  considered  itself  quite  a 
town.  It  stood  high  above  the  river  on  two 
plains,  the  upper  familiarly  known  as  the 
"  Bluff."  It  was  laid  out  in  very  wide,  straight 
streets,  crossing  each  other  at  right  angles; 
there  were  perhaps  two  hundred  dwelling 
houses,  principally  frame,  but  with  a  goodly 
proportion  of  log  cabins  and  a  respectable 
sprinkling  of  brick  buildings. 

The  county  seat,  it  had  its  court-house  and 
jaL ;  there  were  some  half  dozen  stores  where 
almost  everything  could  be  had,  from  dress 
goods  to  butter  and  eggs,  and  from  a  plowshare 
to  a  fine  cambric  needle ;  two  taverns,  as  many 
blacksmith,  shoemaker,  and  carpenter  shops,  a 
flouring  mill  and  a  bakery. 


MILDRED 

Also  two  churches  belonging  to  different 
denominations;  both  frame  structures,  of  ex- 
tremely plain  and  unpretentious  architecture,, 
with  bare  walls,  uncurtained  windows,  rough, 
ancarpeted  floors,  and  rude  hard  benches  in 
lieu  of  pews. 

No  thought  of  architectural  beauty  or  even 
of  comfort  and  convenience,  beyond  that  of 
mere  protection  from  the  weather,  seemed  to 
have  entered  the  minds  of  any  of  the  builders 
here;  the  houses  were  mere  shells;  with  no 
cupboards  or  closets  or  the  slightest  attempt  at 
ornamentation. 

Nor  was  their  unsightliness  concealed  by 
vines,  trees,  or  shrubbery ;  almost  every  one  of 
the  beautiful  monarchs  of  the  forest  once  adorn- 
ing the  locality  had  been  ruthlessly  felled,  and 
a  stump  here  and  there  was  all  that  was  left  to 
tell  of  their  former  existence. 

As  the  keel  cf  the  Mary  Ann  grated  on  the 
gravelly  shore,  a  tall  figure  in  rough  farmer 
attire  came  springing  down  the  bank,  calling 
out  in  tones  of  unfeigned  joy,  "  Hello,  Keith  t 
Come  at  last — wife,  children,  and  all ;  eh  i 
I'm  glad  to  see  ye !  Never  was  more  delighted 
in  my  life." 

And  the  speaker  catching  Mr.  Keith's  hand 
in  his  shook  it  with  hearty  good  will,  then 


76  MILDRED    K.E1TH 

treating  the  rest  of  the  party  in  like  manner 
as  with  his  and  Mr.  Keith's  assistance,  each  ic 
turn  stepped  from  the  boat. 

Mr.  George  Ward  was  an  old  client  anc 
friend  of  Mr.  Keith's,  who  had  been  long  arg 
ing  this  removal. 

"  I  declare  I  wish  I  lived  in  town  for  a  few 
days  now,"  he  went  on,  "  but  we're  three  mile 
out  on  the  prairie,  as  you  know,  Keith.  I  have 
my  team  here,  though,  and  if  you  like  to  pile 
into  the  wagon,  all  of  yon,  I'll  take  you  home 
with  »ne,  as  it  is." 

The  hospitable  invitation  was  declined  with 
thanks. 

"  There  are  quite  too  many  of  us,  Mr. 
Ward,"  Mrs.  Keith  said,  smilingly,  "  and  we 
want  to  get  into  a  house  of  our  own  just  ae 
eoon  as  possible." 

"  Ah  yes,  so  your  husband  wrote  me ;  and 
I've  been  looking  round  for  you.  But  the 
best  that's  to  be  had  will  seem  a  poor  place  to 
you,  Mrs.  Keith,  after  what  you've  left  behind 
in  Lansdale." 

"  I  suppose  so,  but  of  course  we  must  ex- 
pect to  put  up  with  many  inconveniences  and 
probably  some  hardships  even,  for  the  first  few 
5  ears,"  she  answered,  cheerfully. 

*«  I'm  afraid  that's  so,  but  I  hope  you'll  find 


MILDRED   KEITH.  7T 


yourselves  paid  for  it  in  the  iong  run. 
shall  I  take  you  to  the  Union  Hotel?  Yon 
can't,  of  coarse,  get  into  your  own  house  to- 
night. 

"  Here,  let  me  carry  you,  bub,"  picking  up 
Cyril,  "  the  soil's  real  sandy  here  and  makes 
I  eavy  walking." 

"  If,  as  I  presume  from  your  recommenda 
tion  of  it,  it  is  your  best  house  of  entertain- 
tnent,"  Mr.  Keith  said,  in  reply  to  the  question 

"  Yes,  sir,  there's  only  one  other,  and  it's  a 
very  poor  affair,"  returned  Mr.  Ward,  leading 
the  way. 

Mrs.  Prior,  the  landlady,  a  pleasant-faced, 
middle-aged  woman,  with  kind,  motherly  man- 
ners, met  them  at  the  door  with  a  welcome 
nearly  as  hearty  as  that  of  their  old  time 
friend. 

"  I'm  glad  to  see  you,"  she  said,  bustling 
about  to  wait  upon  them,  "  We've  plenty  o' 
room  here  in  town  for  the  right  sort  o'  folks, 
and  glad  to  get  'em." 

She  had  taken  them  into  her  parlor,  th 
only  one  the  house  afforded. 

The  furniture  was  plain  —  a  rag  carpet, 
green  paper  blinds,  a  table  with  a  rod  and 
black  cover,  Windsor  chairs,  two  of  them  rock- 
ing chairs  with  chintz-covered  cushions,  the 


78  MILDRED   KEITH. 

rest  straight-backed  and  hard ;  on  the  higb 
wooden  mantel  shelf  an  old-fashioned  look- 
ing-glass, a  few  shells  and  two  brass  candle- 
sticks;  these  last  bright  as  scouring  could 
make  them. 

"I'm  afraid  it  must  seem  but  a  poor  place 
to  you,  ladies,"  she  continued,  pushing  forward 
a  rocking  chair  for  each.  "  And  you're  dread- 
ful tired,  ain't  you  ?  with  your  long  journey 
Do  sit  down  and  rest  yourselves." 

"  You  are  very  kind,  and  everything  looks 
very  nice  indeed,"  Mrs.  Keith  answered,  look- 
ing up  at  her  with  a  pleased  smile  as  she 
accepted  the  offered  seat,  and  began  untying 
her  baby's  bonnet  strings. 

"  Indeed,  I,  for  one,  didn't  expect  to  find 
half  as  good  accommodations  out  in  these  west- 
ern wilds,"  remarked  Aunt  Wealthy,  glancing 
round  the  room.  "  I  thought  you  had  no  floors 
to  your  carpets." 

"  No  floors  ?  oh  yes ;  rather  rough  to  be 
sure ; — carpenters  here  don't  make  the  ocst  of 
work ;  and  I  think  sometimes  I  could  a'  most 
plane  a  board  better  myself — but  to  get  the 
carpets  is  the  rub  ;  we  mostly  make  'em  our- 
eelves  and  the  weaviii's  often  done  so  poor  that 
they  don't  last  no  time  hardly.  Soil's  sandy. 
YOU  see,  and  it  cuts  the  carpets  right  out." 


MILDRED    KEITH.  7fr 

"  They  say  this  country's  hard  on  womet 
*nd  oxen,"  put  in  Mr.  Ward,  "  and  I'm  afraid 
:t's  pretty  true." 

"Now  don't  be  frightening  them  first 
thing,  Mr.  Ward,'-'  laughed  the  landlady. 
"  Come,  take  off  your  things  and  the  children's, 
ladies,  and  make  yourselves  to  home.  Here, 
just  let  me  lay  'em  in  here,"  she  went  on,  open- 
ing  an  inner  door  and  revealing  a  bed  covered 
with  a  patch-work  quilt. 

"  You  can  have  this  room  if  you  like,  Mrs. 

Keith  ;  I  s'pose  you'd  prefer  a  downstairs  one 

with  the  baby  and  t'other  little  ones?  There 

is  a  trundle  bed  underneath  that'll  do  for  them 

"  And  the  rest  of  you  can  take  the  two 

rooms  right  over  these.  They're  all  ready  and 

you  can  go  right  up  to  'em  whenever  you  like. 

Is  there  anything  more  I  can  do  for  you  now?'r 

"  The  query  was  answered  in  the  negative. 

"Then  I'll  just  excuse  myself,"  she  said; 

"  for  I  must  go  and  see  to  the  supper ;  can't 

tnst  girls  here." 

She  passed  out  through  another  door,  leav- 
ing it  ajar. 

"  That's  the  dining-room,  I  know,  Fan, 
'cause  I  see  two  big  tables  set,"  whispered  Cy- 
ril peeping  in,  "  and  there's  not  a  bit  of  carpet 
en  the  floor.  Guess  they're  cleanin'  house." 


60  MILDRED   KEITH. 

a  "Well,  wife,  I'll  have  to  leave  you  for  a  lit 
tie,  I  must  see  to  the  landing  of  our  goods," 
.said  Mr.  Keith,  taking  his  hat.  "Will  you 
go  along,  Ward  f" 

"  And  let  us  go  up  and  look  at  our  rooms 
girls/'  said  Mildred  to  her  sisters.  "  Mayn't 
we,  mother  ?" 

"  Yes,  go  and  make  yourselves  neat  for  the 
supper  table." 

They  came  back  reporting  bare  floors 
-everywhere,  of  boards  pone  too  well  planed 
either,  but  everything  scrupulously  clean. 

"  Then  we  may  well  be  content,"  said  their 
mother.  The  gentlemen  returned  and  the 
guests  were  presently  summoned,  by  the  ring- 
ing of  a  bell  on  top  of  the  house,  to  the  supper 
table,  which  they  found  furnished  with  abund- 
ance of  good,  wholesome  well-cooked  food. 

And  they  were  really  able  to  make  a  very 
comfortable  meal,  despite  the  presence  of  del/ 
ware,  two-pronged  steel  forks,  and  the  absence 
of  napkins. 

''"What  about  the  goods,  Stuart?"  asked 
Mrs.  Keith  on  their  return  to  the  parlor. 

"  I  have  had  them  carted  directly  to  the 
house ;  that  is,  I  believe  the  men  are  at  it  now.' 

"The  house?" 

'  The  one  Ward  spoke  of.     I  have  taken  it 


MILDRED   KEITH.  8> 

It  was  Hobson's  choice,  my  dear,  or  you  should1 
have  seen  it  first." 

"  Can  I  see  it  now  ?" 

"  "Why,  yes,  if  you  choose ;  it  won't  be  dark 
yet  for  an  hour.  If  you  and  Aunt  Wealthy 
will  put  on  your  bonnets,  I'll  take  you  round." 

"  Ada  and  me,  too,  father  ?"  cried  Zillah 
eagerly. 

"  And  Fan  and  Don  and  me  ?  chorused 
Cyril. 

"  You  couldn't  think  of  going  without  your 
eldest  son  ;"  said  Rupert,  looking  about  for  his 
hat. 

Mrs.  Keith  turned  an  inquiring  eye  upon 
her  husband. 

"Is  it  far?" 

"  No ;  even  Fan  can  easily  walk  it.  Let. 
them  come.  You,  too,  Mildred,"  taking  the 
babe  from  her  arms.  "  I'll  carry  baby." 

"  "We'll  make  quite  a  procession,"  laughed 
die  young  girl.  "  "Won't  the  people  stare  ?" 

"  What  if  they  do  ?  who  of  us  cares  ?" 

"  Not  I !  "  cried  Rupert,  stepping  back  from 
the  doorway  with  a  commanding  wave  of  the 
hand,  "Procession  will  please  move  forward 
Mr.  Keith  and  wife  taking  the  lead,  Miss  Stan- 
hope and  Miss  Keith  next  in  order,  Zilly  an* 
A.da  following  close  upon  their  heels,  the  three 
4* 


62  MILDRED   KfflTH. 

inseparables  after  them,  while  Marshal  Rupert 
brings  up  the  rear  to  see  that  all  are  in  line.5' 

Everybody  laughed  at  this  sally  while  they 
promptly  fell  into  line  as  directed,  passed  out 
npon  the  sidewalk  and  pursued  their  way 
through  the  quiet  streets. 

People  did  stare  to  be  sure,  from  open  doors 
and  windows,  some  asking,  "  "Who  are  they  ?' 
others  answering  "  New  comers  and  they've  got 
a  big  family  to  support." 

Some  remarked  that  they  were  nice  looking 
people ;  while  others  shook  their  heads  wisely, 
or  dubiously,  and  said  they  "  expected  they 
were  real  stuck  up  folks ; — dressed  so  dreadful 
fine." 

However,  the  subjects  of  these  charitable 
comments  did  not  overhear,  and  therefore  were 
not  disturbed  by  them. 

"  Do  you  see  that  yellow  frame  yonder, 
wife  ?"  Mr.  Keith  asked  as  they  turned  a  cor- 
ner. 

"  With  the  gable-end  to  the  street  and  two 
doors  in  it,  one  above  and  one  below  ?" 

14  The  same." 

"  It  looks  like  a  warehouse. ' 

"  That's  what  it  was  originally  intended  for  ; 
but  finding  it  not  available  for  that  purpose,  the 
ownei  offered  it  for  rent." 


MILDRED   KEITH.  83 

4  And  is  it  the  one  you  have  rented  ?" 

"  Yes ;  &  poor  place  to  take  you  to,  my  dear 
but,  as  I  told  you,  it  was  Hobson's  choice." 

"  Then  we'll  make  the  best  of  it  and  DC 
thankful." 

"  What  a  horrid  old  thing!"  remarked  Mil- 
dred in  an  undertone,  heard  only  by  Aunt 
Wealthy. 

"  "We'll  hope  to  find  the  inside  an  improve- 
ment on  the  out,"  was  the  cheerful  rejoinder. 

"It  has  need  to  be,  I  should  say!"  cried 
the  girl  as  they  drew  near.  "  Just  see !  it 
fronts  on  two  streets  and  there's  not  a  bit  of  a 
space  separating  it  from  either ;  doors  open 
right  out  on  to  a  sand  bank." 

*  That's  what  was  made  by  digging  the  cel- 
lar," said  Rupert. 

"  There's  a  big  yard  at  the  side  and  behind, ' 
said  Zillah. 

"  Something  green  in  it,  too,"  added  Ada, 
whose  sight  was  imperfect. 

"  Nothing  but  a  crop  of  ugly  weeds,"  said 
Mildred,  ready  to  cry  as  memory  brought 
vividly  before  her  the  home  they  had  left  with 
its  large  garden  carpeted  with  green  grass, 
adorned  with  shrubbery  and  filled  with  the 
Moom  of  summer  fbwers. 

The  June  roses  must  be  out  now  and  the 


84  MILDRED   KEITH. 

woodbine — the  air  sweet  with  their  delicioui 
perfume — and  they  who  had  planted  anc 
tended  them,  BO  far  away  in  this  desolate  look- 
Ing  spot. 

"  Not  a  tree,  a  shrub,  a  flower  or  a  blade  of 
grass  !"  she  went  on,  sighing  as  she  spoke. 

"  Never  mind,  we'll  have  lots  of  them  next 
year,  if  I  plant  every  one  myself,"  said  Rupert 

The  last  load  of  their  household  goods  had 
just  been  brought  up  /rom  the  river,  the  men 
were  carrying  in  the  heavy  boxes  and  setting 
them  down  upon  the  floor  of  the  front  room. 
The  door  stood  wide  open  and  they  all  walked  in. 

"  Not  a  bit  of  a  hall!"  exclaimed  Mildred, 
"  not  a  cupboard  or  closet ;  nothing  but  four 
bare  walls  and  two  windows  each  side  of  the 
front  door." 

"  Yes,  the  floor  and  ceilings,"  corrected 
Rupert. 

"  And  another  door  on  the  other  side," 
said  Ada,  running  and  opening  it. 

"  Ifot  a  mantelpiece  to  set  anything  on,  noi 
any  chimney  at  all !  How  on  earth  are  we 
going  to  keep  warm  in  the  winter  time?"  Mil- 
dred went  on,  ignoring  the  remarks  of  her 
younger  brother  and  sister. 

"  With  a  stove,  Miss;  pipes  run  up  through 
the  floor  into  the  room  above ;  there's  a  flue 


MILDRED   KEITH.  8a 

there,"  said  one  of  the  men,  wiping  the  peiv 
epiration  from  his  forehead  with  the  sleeve  of 
his  checked  shirt. 

Mr.  Keith  stopped  to  settle  with  the  men 
for  their  work,  and  the  others  walked  on  into 
the  next  room. 

It  was  as  bare  and  more  dreary  than  the 
first ;  somewhat  larger,  but  had  only  one  win- 
dow, that  and  an  outside  door,  opening  directly 
upon  the  side  street. 

Back  of  the  two  rooms  and  in  a  line  with 
them,  was  the  kitchen  ;  smaller  than  either  of 
the  other  rooms,  but  provided  with  a  chimney 
and  fireplace ;  also  a  small,  dark  closet  under  a 
flight  of  steep  and  crooked  stairs  which  led 
from  it  to  the  story  above. 

This,  as  they  found  on  climbing  up  to  it, 
consisted  of  two  rooms,  the  first  extending  over 
kitchen  and  sitting-room,  the  other  over  the 
front  room  and  of  exactly  the  same  size. 

The  stairs  led  directly  into  the  first  room 
and  it  must  be  passed  through  to  reach  tho 
second ;  therefore  had  not  the  recommendation 
of  privacy. 

"  What  a  house !  "  grumbled  the  children  ; 
"  how'll  we  ever  live  in  it  ?  Such  a  few  rooms 
and  not  a  bit  nice." 

Mrs.  Keith  stood   in   the  middle  of    that 


86  MILDRED   KEITH. 

large,  barn-like  upper  room,  saying  never  a 
word,  but  her  heart  sinking  lower  and  Jpwer  ai 
ihe  glanced  from  side  to  side  taking  in  the 
arhole  situation. 

Aunt  Wealthy  saw  it  and  came  to  the  res- 
cue. "  Never  mind,  dearie ;  it  will  look  very 
different  when  we  have  unpacked  and  arranged 
your  furniture.  With  the  help  of  curtains 
several  rooms  can  be  made  out  of  this,  and 
we'll  do  nicely." 

"Yes,  no  doubt  we  shall,  auntie,"  Mrs. 
Keith  answered  with  determined  cheerfulness. 
"  That  front  room  shall  be  yours — " 

"  No,  no !  you  and  Stuart  must  take  that — '" 

"  I'm  quite  set  on  having  my  own  way  in 
this,"  interrupted  the  younger  lady  in  her  turn. 
"It  is  the  best  room,  and  you  must  take  it. 
Don't  hesitate  or  object,  for  I  should  be  afraid 
to  have  my  little  ones  in  there  with  that  out- 
side door  opening  on  to  nothing,"  she  concluded, 
with  a  laugh. 

"  Well,  wife,  what  do  you  think  ?  "  asked 
Mr.  Keith,  coming  up  the  stairs. 

"  That  we  can  be  very  happy  here  if  we 
aiake  up  our  minds  to  be  content  with  our  lot." 

"  That  is  like  you,  Marcia ;  always  ready  to 
make  the  best  of  everything,"  he  said,  with  • 
pleased  look. 


MILDRED    KEITH.  87 

"  I  think  it'e  a  dreadful  place  I"  exclaimed 
Mildred,  "  like  a  great  barn  ;  and  so  dirty  1 
plaster  all  over  the  floor  and  spattered  on  the 
windows  too." 

"  I  hope  it  can  be  cleaned/'  her  father  said, 
laughing  at  her  rueful  face.  "  Mrs.  Prior  can 
probably  tell  us  where  to  find  a  woman  to 
do  it." 

A  little  more  time  was  spent  in  discussing 
plans  for  the  arrangement  of  the  inside  of  the 
dwelling  ;  then  they  stepped  into  the  side-yard 
and  viewed  it  from  the  out. 

A  great  dead  wall  of  rough  weather  board- 
ing broken  by  one  window  only  and  that  in 
the  second  story,  was  what  met  their  view  as 
they  looked  up ;  down  below,  first  a  heap  of 
sand,  beyond  that  a  wilderness  of  weeds  and 
brushwood. 

"  I'm  dumb  with  despair !  "  cried  Mildred, 
folding  her  hands  with  a  tragical  air. 

«  Can  dumb  folks  talk?"  asked  Cyril. 

"  As  ugly  as  mud  this  side,"  remarked 
Zillah,  turning  up  her  nose  scornfully  as  she 
BcaunoJ  the  unsightly  wall. 

"We'll  cover  it  with  vines,"  said  Aunt 
Wealthy. 

"  And  I'll  clear  the  yard  and  sod  it,"  adde4 
Rupert,  seizing  a  great  mullein  stalk  and  pull- 


88  MILDRED    KEITH. 

ing  it  up  by  the  roots  as  he  spofce.  "  Twon  \ 
be  nearly  so  hard  as  the  clearing  the  early  pi- 
-meere  of  Ohio  had  to  do,  our  grandfathers 
among  the  rest." 

"That's  the  right  way  to  look  at  it,  my 
boy,"  responded  Mr.  Keith,  heartily.  "  Come 
now,  we'll  lock  up  the  house  and  go  back  to 
our  hotel  for  the  night." 

"  There's  a  log  house  nearly  opposite,"  re- 
marked Rupert,  when  khey  were  in  the  street 
again,  "and  the  next  ie  a  real  shabby  one-and 
a-half-etory  frame  with  a  blacksmith  shop  at- 
tached. We  haven't  the  worst  place  in  town 
after  all.  Ho  1  look  at  the  sign, '  G.  Lightcap ;' 
what  a  name !  'specially  for  a  blacksmith." 

Mrs.  Prior  joined  her  guests  in  the  parlor 
after  the  younger  portion  had  gone  to  bed. 

"Well,  how  did  you  like  the  house?"  she 
asked. 

"  I  hope  we  shall  be  able  to  make  ourselves 
comfortable  there,"  Mr.  Keith  answered,  in  a 
cheerful  tone. 

"You  can  get  possession  right  away,  I 
i'pose." 

"  Yes  ;  and  want  to  move  in  as  quickly  as 
possible,  but  must  have  some  cleaning  done 
first." 

Mrs.  Prior  recommended  a  woman  for  that 


MILDRED   KEITH.  89 

without  waiting  to  be  asked,  and  offered  to 
"  send  round  "  at  once  and  see  if  she  could  ,>e 
engaged  for  the  next  day. 

The  offer  was  accepted  with  thanks  and  the 
.nessenger  brought  back  word  that  Mrs.  Rood 
would  be  at  the  house  by  six  o'clock  in  the 
morning. 

"  But,"  suggested  Aunt  Wealthy  in  dismay, 
"  she'l  want  hot  water,  soap,  cloths,  scrubbing 
brushes !" 

"  I'll  lend  a  big  iron  kettle  to  heat  the 
water,"  said  the  landlady  ;  "  a  fire  can  be  made 
in  that  kitchen  fireplace,  you  know,  or  out 
doors,  with  the  brush  wood." 

"  And  brushes  and  soap  can  be  had  at  the 
stores,  I  presume,"  suggested  Mr.  Keith. 

"Yes;  and  if  they  ain't  open  in  time,  I'll 
lend  mine  for  her  to  start  on." 

"  Thank  you  very  much,"  said  Mrs.  Keith. 
*'  But,  Stuart,  we  may  as  well  unpack  our  own  ; 
1  can  tell  you  just  which  box  to  open." 

"  What  a  woman  you  are  for  doing  things 
systematically,  Marcia,"  he  said,  admiringly. 
*'  Yours  is  the  best  plan,  I  think.  Can  we  be 
op  in  season  to  be  on  hand  there  at  half  past 
five,  think  you  ?" 

"  We  can  try,"  she  answered  brightly. 
M  Mrs.  Prior,  where  is  your  market  ?'' 


90  MILDRED   KEITH. 

"  We  haven't  got  to  that  yet,  ma  am,"  re 
plied  the  landlady,  laughing  and  shaking  hei 
head. 

"  No  market  ?  why  how  do  you  manage 
without  ?" 

"  There's  butcher  shops  where  we  can  buy 
fresh  meat  once  or  twice  a  week — beef,  veal, 
mutton,  lamb,  just  whatever  they  happen  to 
kill — and  we  put  up  our  own  salt  pork,  hams, 
dried  beef,  and  so  forth,  and  keep  codfish  and 
mackerel  on  hand. 

"  Most  folks  have  their  own  chickens,  and 
the  country  people  bring  'em  in  too ;  and  but- 
ter and  eggs  and  vegetables;  though  a  good 
many  town  folks  have  garden  sass  of  their  own 
raisin' ;  keep  a  cow  and  make  their  own  but- 
ter." 

"  That's  the  most  independent  way,"  re- 
marked Mr.  Keith.  "  I  think  I  must  have  a 
cow ;  if  I  can  get  a  girl  who  can  milk.  Do 
you  know  of  a  good  girl  wanting  a  place,  Mrs. 
Prior?" 

"  I  wish  I  did;  but  they're  dreadful  scarce 
gir;  and  so  sassy!  you  can't  keep  'em  unless 
yon  let  'em  come  to  the  table  with  the  family ; 
and  you  must  be  mighty  careful  what  you  ask 
em  to  do 


•'I  feel  my  sinews  slacken'd  with  the  frigh», 
And  a  cold  sweat  thrills  down  all  o'er  my  limbs, 
As  if  I  were  dissolving  into  water." 

— DRYDEIT'S  TKSCPESI-, 


THE  Lightcaps  were  at  supper ;  father  and 
eldest  son,  each  of  whom  stood  six  feet  in  his 
stockings,  with  shirt  sleeves  rolled  up  above 
their  elbows,  displaying  brown  sinewy  arms ; 
the  mother  in  a  faded  calico,  grizzled  hair 
drawn  straight  back  from  a  dull,  careworn 
face  and  gathered  into  a  little  knot  behind  in 
which  was  stuck  a  yellow  horn  comb ;  years  of 
incessant  toil  and  frequent  exposure  to  sun  and 
wind  had  not  improved  a  naturally  dark,  rough 
skin,  and  there  was  no  attempt  at  adornment 
in  her  attire,  not  a  collar  or  a  ruffle  to  cover 
up  the  unsightliness  of  the  yellow,  wrinkled 
neck. 

Khoda  Jane,  the  eldest  uaaghter,  seated  at 
ner  father's  right  hand,  was  a  fac-simiie  <>i 


92  MILDRED   KEITH. 

what  the  mother  had  been  in  hei  girlhood, 
^rith  perhaps  an  added  touch  of  intelligence 
and  a  somewhat  more  bold  and  forward  manner. 

There  were  besides  several  younger  childreL 
of  both  sexes,  quite  ordinary  looking  creature* 
and  just  now  wholly  taken  up  with  the  busi- 
ness in  hand ; — vieing  with  each  other  in  the 
amount  of  bread  and  butter  and  molasses,  fried 
potatoes  and  fried  pork  they  could  devour  in  a 
given  space  of  time. 

"  Some  new  comers  in  town,  mother,"  re. 
marked  Mr.  Lightcap,  helping  himself  to  a 
second  slice  of  pork.  "  The  keelboat  Mary 
Ann  come  up  the  river  with  a  lot  of  travellers." 

"  Who,  father  ?  somebody  that's  going  to 
stay?" 

"  Yes ;  that  lawyer  we  heerd  was  comin', 
you  know.  What's  his  name  ?" 

"  Keith,"  said  Rhoda  Jane,  "  I  heerd  Miss 
Prior  tell  Damaris  Drybread  last  Sunday  aftei 
meetin'.  And  so  they've  come,  hev  they  ?" 

"  Yes ;  I  had  occasion  to  go  up  street  a  bit 
ago,  and  saw  George  Ward  takin'  'em  to  the 
Union  Hotel ;  the  man  hisself  and  two  or  three 
wimmin  folks  and  a  lot  of  young  uns." 

"Damaris  was  wishing  there'd  be  some 
children  ;"  remarked  Rhoda  Jane,  "  she  wants 
more  scholars  " 


MILDRED   KEITH.  9& 

"  It  don't  foller  they'd  go  to  her  ii  there 
ipas,"  put  in  her  brother. 

"  Oh  now  you  just  shut  up,  Goto  I  you 
aever  did  take  no  stock  in  Daraaris." 

"  No,  nor  you  neither,  Rhode  Jane ;  'cepl 
once  in  a  while  just  fur  contrariness.  No,  1 
don't  take  no  shine  to  Miss  Drybread ;  she's  a 
unmitigated  old  maid." 

"  I  wish  the  man  had  been  a  doctor  and 
good  on  curin'  the  agur,"  said  Mrs.  Lightcap, 
replenishing  her  husband's  cap.  "  What's  up 
now,  Rhoda  Jane?"  as  that  damsel  suddenly 
pushed  back  her  chair,  sprang  up,  and  rushed 
through  the  adjoining  room  to  the  front  door. 

"  A  wagon  goin'  by  filled  full  of  great  boxe& 
o'  goods,"  shouted  back  the  girl.  "  There 
they're  stoppin'  at  the  yaller  house  on  the  cor- 
nor.  Come  and  Took." 

The  whole  family,  dropping  knives  and 
forks,  the  children  with  hands  and  mouths  full, 
ran  pell  mell  to  door  and  windows  to  enjoy  the 
sight. 

"  I  wonder  what's  up,  father?  are  we  goin* 
to  have  a  new  store  over  there,  think  ?"  queried 
Mrs.  Lightcap,  standing  on  the  outer  step  with 
her  hands  on  her  hips,  her  gaze  turned  steadily 
in  the  direction  of  the  corner  house. 

"  Dunno,  mother;  b'lieve  I'll  jest  step  over 


$4  MILDRED   KEITH. 

*nd  ask.  Come  along  Goto,  I  guess  they'd  like 
«ome  help  with  them  thar  big  boxes." 

They  were  kind-hearted,  neighborly  folk  — 
those  early  settlers  of  Pleasant  Plains,  always 
ready  to  lend  a  helping  hand  wherever  it  was 
needed. 

"  It's  the  new  lawyer  feller's  traps,"  an- 
nounced Mr.  Lightcap,  as  he  and  his  son  rejoined 
the  waiting,  expectant  wife  and  children  ;  "  he's 
took  the  house  and  we'll  have  'em  for  neigh- 
bors." 

There  was  another  rush  to  the  door,  half  an 
hour  later,  when  the  Keiths  were  seen  passing 
on  their  way  to  inspect  their  future  abode. 

"  The  prettiest  gal  I  ever  see,"  remarked 
Gotobed,  gazing  admiringly  after  Mildred's 
graceful,  girlish  figure. 

"They  look  like  eastern  folks,"  said  his 
mother.  "  Won't  they  wish  they'd  staid  where 
they  was  when  they  find  out  how  hard  'tis  to 
get  help  here?" 

"  Real  stuck  up  folks ;  dressed  to  kill," 
eneered  Rhoda  Jane.  "  Look  at  the  white  pan- 
talets on  them  young  uns  !  and  the  girl's  got  a 
veil  on  her  bunnit." 

"  Well,  what's  the  harm !"  asked  her  brother. 
"  If  you  had  as  pretty  a  skin,  I  guess  you'd  be 
for  takin'  care  of  it  too." 


MILDRED   KEITH.  9S 

u  Humph !  beauty  that's  only  skin  deep 
won't  last,"  and  with  a  toss  of  the  head  Miss 
laghtcap  walked  into  the  house  in  her  most 
dignified  style. 

For  the  next  ten  days  the  doings  at  the  cor 
ner  house  and  the  comings  and  goings  of  the 
Keiths  were  a  source  of  entertainment  and  in- 
tense interest  to  their  neighbors — the  Lightcaps 
and  others ;  a  fact  not  to  be  wondered  at  when 
we  consider  the  monotony  of  life  in  the  town 
at  that  time ; — no  railroad,  no  telegraph,  no 
newspaper,  except  those  brought  by  the  weekly 
mail ;  no  magazines,  no  public  library,  and  very 
few  books  in  private  houses. 

Really  the  daily  small  occurrences  in  their  own. 
little  world  were  pretty  nearly  all  the  Pleasant 
Plainers  could  find  to  talk  or  think  about. 

And  the  Keiths,  as  recent  arrivals  from  an 
older  settled  part  of  the  country,  and  above 
many  of  them  in  the  social  scale,  were  considered 
worthy  of  more  than  ordinary  attention.  Their 
dress,  their  manners,  the  furnishing  of  their 
house  and  their  style  of  living  were  subjects  of 
eager  discussion. 

The  general  opinion  among  the  Lightcaps 
and  their  set  seemed  to  be  that  they  were  too 
fine  for  the  place ;  such  remarks  as  the  fellow 
ing  being  frequently  heard, 


$6  MILDRED   KEITH. 

•*  Why  would  you  believe  it,  they've  got  a 
real  store  carpet  on  that  front  room,  and  a  soiy 
and  cheers  covered  with  horse-hair  cloth  and 
?vhite  curtains  to  the  winders  and  picture  hang- 
ing  upon  to  the  walls." 

"  And  the  little  girls  wears  white  pantalets 
caliker  ones  such  as  our  youngsters  wears  isn't 
good  enough  for  them." 

There  were  in  the  town,  however,  a  numbei 
of  families  of  educated,  refined  people  who  re- 
joiced in  this  addition  to  their  society  and  only 
waited  for  the  new  comers  to  get  settled  in 
their  new  home  before  calling. 

Among  these  Mrs.  Keith  and  her  aunt  found 
several  pleasant,  congenial  companions ;  and  with 
two  or  three  the  acquaintance  soon  ripened  into 
a  close  intimacy,  a  warm,  enduring  friendship. 

Mildred  also  soon  had  more  than  one  young 
girl  crony  whom  she  found  as  worthy  of  regard 
as  those  she  had  left  behind. 

Back  of  the  yellow  house  was  a  grove  ol 
saplings  which  became  »  favoute  haunt  of  the 
children  in  their  hours  of  recreation.  They 
would  bend  down  the  smaller  trees  and  ride 
them,  climb  up  into  the  larger  and  sit  among 
the  branches;  or  build  baby- houses  and  play 
housekeeping  underneath,  where  the  shade  was 
thickest. 


M1LDREL    KEITH.  97 

It  was  here  they  spent  the  warm,  sunny- 
days  while  the  older  members  of  the  family 
bnsied  themselves  in  making  the  dwelling  hab- 
i table  and  the  yard  neat  and  orderly 

On  the  morning  after  their  arrival  Rupert 
spread  a  buffalo  robe  on  the  ground  in  the 
shadiest  part  of  the  grove,  whereon  Zillah  and 
Ada  seated  themselves  with  their  baby  sister 
who  had  been  entrusted  to  their  care. 

There  were  many  lovely  wild  flowers  spring- 
ing up  here  and  there,  and  Cyril,  Don  and  Fan 
ran  hither  and  thither  gathering  them,  prattling 
merrily  to  each  other  the  while,  and  now  and 
then  uttering  a  joyous  shout  as  they  came  upon 
some  new  floral  treasure. 

"  Be  careful  not  to  go  too  far  away,  chil- 
dren," Zillah  called  to  them. 

"No,  we  won't  go  far,"  they  answered, 
Cyril  adding,  "  And  I'll  take  care  of  Fan." 

In  a  little  while  they  came  running  back 
with  full  hands. 

"  See,  see !"  they  said,  "  so  many  and  such 
pretty  ones — blue,  and  white,  and  purple,  and 
yellow.  There,  you  take  these  and  we'll  pick 
r-ome  more  for  ourselves.  And  for  mother  and 
Aunt  Wealthy ;  we'll  make  a  big  bunch  fot 
each  of  them,"  and  away  they  ran  again. 

"  Oh,    aren't    they     pretty  ?'     cried    Ada. 
6 


$8  MILDRED    KEITH. 

"  Let's  make  a  bouquet  for  mother  out  of 
these." 

"She  won't  want  two,"  said  Zillah,  "'spe- 
cially just  now  when  she's  no  place  to  put 
them.  Let's  make  wreaths  for  Annis  and 
Fan." 

"  Oh  yes !"  and  they  began  sorting  the 
flowers  with  eager  interest,  little  Annis  pulling 
at  them  too,  crowing  and  chattering  in  sweet 
baby  fashion. 

Suddenly  Zillah  gave  a  start  and  laid  a 
trembling  hand  on  Ada's  arm.  Her  face  had 
grown  very  pale  and  there  was  a  look  of  terror 
in  her  large  blue  eyes. 

Ada  turned  quickly  to  see  what  had  caused 
it,  and  was  quite  as  much  alarmed  on  behold- 
ing a  tall  Indian,  with  rifle  in  hand,  tomahawk 
and  scalping  knife  in  his  belt,  standing  within 
a  few  feet  of  them,  evidently  regarding  them 
with  curiosity. 

He  wore  moccasins  and  leggins,  and  had  a 
blanket  about  his  shoulders;  feathers  on  his 
head,  too ;  but  no  war  paint  on  his  face. 

Behind  him  was  a  squaw  with  a  great 
bark  basket  full  of  wild  berries,  slung  to  hei 
back. 

The  little  girls  were  too  terribly  frightened 
to  cry  out  or  speak,  they  sat  there  as  if  turned 


MILDRED   KEITH.  99 

to  stone,  while  the  Indian  drew  nearer  and 
nearer  still  closely  followed  by  his  squaw. 

Stopping  close  beside  the  children,  he 
grunted  out  a  word  or  two  to  her,  and  she 
filnng  her  basket  to  the  ground. 

Taking  up  a  double  handful  of  the  berries, 
he  poured  them  into  Zillah's  lap,  saying, "  Pap- 
poose!" 

The  squaw  restored  her  basket  to  its  place 
and  the  two  walked  leisurely  away  ;  happily 
not  in  the  direction  of  Fan  and  the  boys. 

The  little  girls  gazed  at  each  other  in  blank 
astonishment ;  then  burst  out  simultaneously, 
"  Oh,  weren't  you  frightened  ?  I  thought  ho 
was  going  to  kill  us  1" 

"  But  wasn't  it  good  in  him  to  give  us  the 
berries  ?" 

"  Yes ;  he  meant  them  for  baby ;  but  mothel 
doesn't  let  her  have  any,  you  know;  so  we 
mustn't  give  them  to  her." 

"  No,  but  I'll  call  the  children  to  get  some.' 

"  Yes,  do." 

"  Where  did  you  get  em  ?"  queried  Cyril, 
devouring  his  share  with  zest. 

"  An  Indian  gave  them  to  us." 

"  An  Indian  ?  why  that  was  like  a  friend 
and  eolation !  I  shan't  be  'fraid  of  'em  any 
more." 


100  MILDRED   KEITH 

*'  I  dou  t  know,"  returned  Ada  with  a 
shake  of  her  head,  "  I'd  rather  not  see  'em  even 
with  their  berries." 

The  little  feast  was  jnst  ended  when  they 
espied  a  gentleman  passing  along  the  road  be- 
yond the  grove.  He  turned  and  came  toward 
them. 

"  Good  -  morning,"  he  said,  pleasantly. 
"These  are  Mr.  Keith's  children,  I  believe f" 

"  Tes,  sir,"  answered  Zillah. 

"  I'm  glad  to  see  you,"  shaking  hands  with 
them ;  "  and  I  should  like  to  make  the  ac- 
quaintance of  your  parents.  Are  they  at  home, 
in  the  house  yonder  ?" 

"  Mother  is,  sir ;  but  I  saw  father  go  away 
a  little  while  ago." 

"  Do  you  think  your  mother  could  see  me 
fcr  ft  moment  ?  My  name  is  Lord.'* 

Cyril  opened  his  eyes  very  wide ;  gazing  up 
into  the  gentleman's  face  with  an  odd  expres- 
sion of  mingled  curiosity  and  astonishment. 

"  I  don't  know,  sir ;"  answered  Zillah, 
"  they're  just  cleaning  the  house  and — Cyril. 
roc  and  ask  mother." 

Away  flew  the  child,  rushing  into  the  room 
where  Miss  Stanhope  and  Mrs.  Keith  were 
overseeing  the  opening  of  boxes  and  the  un- 
packing of  the  household  gear. 


MILDRED   KEITH.  101 

"  Mother,  mother,"  he  cried  breathlessly, 
•*  the  Lord's  out  yonder  and  he  wants  to  you 
you !  Can  he  come  in  ?  shall  I  bring  him  ?" 

"The  Lord!  what  can  the  child  mean?; 
cried  Aunt  Wealthy,  in  her  astonishment  and 
perplexity  nearly  dropping  a  large  china  bowl 
which  she  held  in  her  hand. 

Mrs.  Keith,  too,  looked  bewildered  for  a 
moment,  then  a  sudden  light  breaking  over  her 
face, 

"  Yes,  bring  him  in,"  she  said,  and  turning 
to  her  aunt  as  the  child  sped  on  his  errand, 
"  It  must  be  the  minister,  auntie  ;  I  remember 
now  that  Stuart  told  me  his  name  was  Lord." 

Mr.  Lord,  who  was  a  very  absent-minded 
man,  came  in  apologizing  for  his  "  neglect  in 
not  calling  sooner ;  he  had  been  engaged  with 
his  sermon  and  the  matter  had  slipped  his 
mind." 

"  I  think  you  are  blaming  yourself  unde- 
servedly, sir,"  Mrs.  Keith  said,  giving  him  her 
hand  with  a  cordial  smile,  "  we  arrived  in  town 
only  yesterday.  Let  me  introduce  you  to  my 
aunt.  Miss  Stanhope." 

The  two  shook  hands,  and  Mr.  Lord  seating 
himself  upon  a  box,  instead  of  the  chair  that 
had  been  set  for  him,  sprang  up  instantly  witl 
a  hurried  exclamation. 


102 


MILDRED    KEITH. 


A  portion  of  the  contents  ol  a  paper  of 
tacks  Lad  been  accidentally  spilt  there. 

The  ladies  were  too  polite  to  smile.  Mrs 
Keith  offered  the  chair  again,  simply  saying, 
"  You  will  find  this  a  more  comfortable  seat ; 
please  excuse  the  disorder  we  are  in  ;"  theii 
plunged  into  talk  about  the  town  and  the  little- 
church  he  had  recently  organized  there. 


11  Home  ia  the  sphere  of  harmony  and  peace, 
The  spot  where  angels  find  a  resting  place, 
When  bearing  blessings,  they  descend  to  earth." 

—Mas.  HAUL 

CYRIL  came  running  back  carrying  a  cov 
ered  basket. 

"  He's  gone,  girls.  He  wasn't  the  Lord  at 
all ;  only  a  man  ;  and  he  didn't  stay  long ;  I 
guess  'cause  he  sat  down  on  the  tacks  and 
hurted  himself. 

"  Here's  our  dinner.  Mother  says  we  may 
eat  it  out  here  under  the  trees  and  it'll  be  ae 
good  as  a  picnic." 

"So  it  will.  Let's  see  what  it  is,'  and 
Zillah  took  the  basket  and  lifted  the  lid.  "  Oh 
that's  nice  1  buttered  biscuits  and  oold  tongue 
and  cheese  and  ginger  bread — lots  of  it — and  a 
turnover  apiece." 

"  Isn't  our  mother  good?"  cried  Ada  grate- 
fully. "  Did  you  tell  her  about  the  Indian  and 
the  berries  f " 


104:  MILDRED   KEITH. 

"  Yes;  and  father  was  there — he  jnst  came 
home — and  he  says  we  needn't  be  a  single  bit 
afraid ;  they  don't  kill  folks  now,  and  they 
wouldn't  dare  to  hurt  us  right  here  in  the 
town  ;  even  if  they  wanted  to." 

"  Baby's  been  fretting  a  little  ;  'cause  she's 
hungry,  I  guess,"  said  Zillah,  putting  a  bit  of 
gingerbread  in  the  little  one's  hand. 

"  Yes ;  mother  said  you  should  give  her 
eonie  cake ;  and  she'll  come  directly  and  take 
her  awhile.  Now  let's  begin  to  eat,  for  I'm 
as  hungry  as  a  big  black  bear." 

"  So  am  I,"  piped  the  small  voices  of  Don 
And  Fan.  "  Bat  father  always  asks  a  blessing 
first." 

"  Yes,"  assented  Zillah,  stopping  short  in 
her  distribution  of  the  good  things ;  "  and 
mother  does  it  when  he's  away,  but — "  and  she 
glanced  from  one  to  the  other  of  the  childish 
but  grave  faces  of  the  little  group. 

"  I'll  do  it,"  said  Cyril,  closing  his  merry 
blue  eyes  and  folding  his  chubby  hands.  "  O 
Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  the  ginger  bread  and 
turnovers  and — and  all  the  good  things,  Amen. 
Now  gi  me  mine,  Zil,"  opening  his  eyes  wide 
and  holding  out  both  hands. 

"  Ladies  first,  you  know,"  answered  the 
«8tcr.  "  and  we  must  all  spread  our  handker- 


MILDRED   KEITH.  105 

chiefs  in  our  laps  to  keep  the  greasy  crumbi 
from  our  clothes." 

"Oh,  yes;  I  fordot.  Help  Ada  and  Faa 
and  yourself,  then  Don  too,  and  me  last  'cause 
we're  the  gentlemen." 

"No,  myself  last,  because  that's  the  way 
mother  does." 

"  And  mother  and  father  always  do  every- 
thing right,"  commented  Ada,  beginning  upon 
her  sandwich. 

They  were  rosy,  healthy  children  and  their 
appetites  were  keen  ;  but  they  were  not  selfish 
or  greedy,  and  the  supply  of  food  was  more 
than  amply  sufficient  for  all. 

They  were  never  stinted  but  had  been  taught 
that  waste  was  sinful ;  so  the  remains  of  the 
meal  were  put  carefully  by  in  the  basket,  which 
Zillah  then  hung  up  on  a  branch  near  at  hand. 

As  she  did  so  the  others  set  up  a  glad  shout, 
"Mother's  coming!"  and  sprang  forward  to 
meet  her,  while  baby  held  out  her  hands  with 
a  crow  of  delight. 

"Well,  dears,  had  you  plenty  of  dinner f" 
Mrs.  Keith  asked,  taking  Annis  in  her  armi 
and  sitting  down  on  the  buffalo  robe  while  they 
grouped  themselves  about  her. 

"  Oh  yes ;  yes  indeed  1  some  left ;  and  if 
was  very  good.     Thank  yon  for  it,  mother." 
5* 


106  MILDRED   KEITH. 

"You  quite  deserved  it;  you  have  been 
dear,  good  children,  taking  care  of  yourseivei 
and  baby  all  morning,  and  not  giving  any  trou- 
ble to  anybody." 

How  the  young  cheeks  flushed  and  the  eyea 
grew  bright  at  these  words  of  commendation 
from  those  dear  lips.  How  they  loved  her  for 
them,  and  what  an  increased  desire  to  merit 
her  approbation  they  felt  swelling  in  their 
breasts. 

She  could  stay  with  them  only  a  little  while 
but  suggested  various  amusements,  some  games 
they  might  play,  some  stories  Zillah  might  re 
late  to  the  younger  ones. 

"  Are  you  getting  done  fast,  mother  ?  can 
we  sleep  in  our  own  home  to-night?"  they 
asked. 

"  No,  dears ;  for  though  the  bedroom  floors 
are  cleaned  there  might  be  some  dampness  that 
would  injure  us.  We  will  go  back  to  the  tav- 
ern for  our  supper  and  to  sleep  to-night ;  but 
to-morrow  night  we  will  be  in  our  own  home 
once  more." 

"  Not  the  nice  home  we  used  to  have, 
though  P  sighed  Zillah. 

"  No,  daughter ;  but  we  must  try  to  be  con- 
tent and  thankful ;  and  if  we  are,  we  may  be  aa 
happy  in  the  new  home  as  we  were  in  the  old." 


MILDRED   KEITH.  10? 

With  that  the  now  sleeping  babe  was  laid 
gently  down  on  the  robe,  a  light  covering 
thrown  over  her,  and  with  a  charge  to  the 
others  to  take  care  of  her,  and  a  caress  bestowed 
upon  each,  the  mother  hastened  back  to  the 
house. 

"  We're  tired  running  'bout  and  picking 
flowers,  Fan  and  Don  and  me,"  said  Cyril; 
"  so  won't  you  please  tell  us  a  story  now, 
Zil?" 

"  Tes ;  I'll  tell  you  Androcles  and  the  Lion ; 
you  always  like  that." 

"  Yes  ;  and  then  tell  'bout  the  girl  that  had 
a  silk  dress  and  couldn't  run  and  play  'cause 
her  shoes  pinched,"  begged  Fan. 

"  Oh  look  !"  exclaimed  Ada  in  an  under- 
tone, "  see  those  girls.  They  haven't  silk 
dresses  or  shoes  to  pinch  their  toes.  Don't 
they  look  queer  ?" 

The  subjects  of  her  remarks  were  two  little 
maids — one  about  her  own  size,  the  other  a 
trifle  smaller — who  were  slowly  making  their 
way  through  the  bushes  toward  the  spot  whew 
the  Keith  children  were  seated. 

They  had  sallow,  sunburnt  faces,  tawny, 
yellow  locks  straggling  over  their  shoulders, 
and  their  thin,  lanky  little  forms  were  arrayed 
in  calico  dresses  faded,  worn  and  skimpy: 


108  MILDRED   KEITH. 

pantalets  of  the  same  material  but  different 
color,  appeared  below  their  skirts.  Their  feet 
were  bare,  and  on  their  heads  were  sunbonnete 
of  pasteboard  covered  with  still  another  pattern 
of  calico  both  faded  and  soiled. 

"  Shall  we  ask  them  to  come  and  join  us  ?n 
•jneried  Zillah. 

"  No  ;  they  don't  look  nice  ;  they're  dirty, 
-jrhispered  Cyril,  with  a  glance  of  disgust  di- 
rected toward  the  strangers. 

"  Maybe  dey  is  hungry,"  suggested  Fan  , 
*  let's  dive  'em  some  n'ng  out  o'  de  basket." 

"  Good  afternoon,  little  girls,"  said  Zillah, 
raising  her  voice  slightly  as  they  drew  near ; 
u  will  you  come  and  sit  with  us  ?" 

They  shook  their  heads  but  came  creeping 
on,  each  with  a  finger  in  her  mouth. 

"  Have  you  had  your  dinner  ?"  An  affirma- 
tive nod. 

"  I'm  going  to  tell  a  story  to  these  children, 
%nd  if  you  like  to  come  and  listen  too,  you  can. 
What  are  your  names  ?" 

"  Mine's  Emmaretta  Lightcap,  and  here  if 
Minerva  Lightcap.  She's  my  sister,  she  is. 
Now  go  on  and  tell  your  story.  Min,  let's  set 
down  on  the  grass  right  here." 

They  listened  in  open-mouthed  wonder  till 
summoned  by  a  shrill  voice  from  the  direction 


MILDRED    KEITH.  10S 

of  the  smithy,  when  they  rose  aud  scampered 
sway. 

Tho  Keiths  were  a  very  domestic  family  \ 
no  place  like  home  to  them  ;  and  all,  from  the 
father  down  to  little  Fan,  were  heartily  weary 
of  the  unsettled  life  they  had  led  for  some 
weeks  past. 

It  was  therefore  with  joy  they  found  them- 
selves once  more  able  to  sit  down  under  their 
own  vine  and  fig  tree,  (if  a  rented  domicile  so 
unsightly  as  "the  yellow  house  on  the  corner ' 
may  fitly  be  compared  to  natural  objects  so  full 
of  beauty  and  grace). 

By  the  evening  of  the  second  day  the  ad- 
vanced stage  of  the  internal  improvements 
warranted  them  in  taking  possession. 

As  the  shadows  grew  long  the  children  were 
called  in,  the  family  gathered  about  a  neatly 
appointed  table  set  out  in  the  centre  one  of  the 
three  lower  rooms ;  spoken  of  indifferently  as 
the  sitting,  or  dining-room,  since  it  must  an- 
swer both  purposes. 

The  meal  was  enlivened  by  cheerful  chat,  in 
which  the  children  were  allowed  to  take  part ; 
the  only  restriction  being  that  but  one  voice  was 
to  be  heard  at  a  time ;  and  that  not  in  loud  or 
boisterous  tones. 

No  domestic  had  been  found  yet  and  leav* 


110  MILDRED   KEITH. 

ing  mother  and  aunt  to  chat  with  the  father.. 
Mildred  and  the  younger  girls  cleared  the  table, 
washed  the  dishes  and  made  all  neat  in  the 
kitchen. 

This  done  they  returned  to  the  sitting-room 
The  great  family  Bible  lay  open  on  the  table 
before  the  father,  a  pile  of  hymn-books  beside 
it.  These  last  Rupert  took  up  and  distributed ; 
the  father  read  a  few  verses  of  Scripture  and 
gave  out  a  hymn.  The  mother's  sweet  voice  set 
the  tune,  the  others  joined  in  and  a  full  chorus 
of  praise  swelled  upon  the  summer  evening  air. 

It  died  away,  and  all  knelt  while  the  father 
offered  a  short  but  fervent  prayer  giving  thanka 
for  the  mercies  of  the  day,  asking  for  protection 
through  the  night,  confessing  sins  and  pleading 
{or  pardon  and  eternal  life,  for  all  temporal  and 
spiritual  good,  through  the  atoning  blood  of 
Christ. 

It  was  thus  each  day  was  begun  and  ended 
in  this  truly  Christian  family.  "  As  for  me 
and  my  house  we  will  serve  the  Lord,"  was  the 
resolution  with  which  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keith  had 
begun  their  married  life. 

Each  little  one  came  to  claim  a  good-night 
kiss  from  father  and  Aunt  Wealthy,  then  cheer- 
fully  followed  their  mother  up  the  steep 
crooked  stairway  to  the  large  room  above. 


MILDRED   KEITH.  Ill 

*Oh,  how  much  nicer  it  looks  1*  they  cried. 
1  Auntie's  room  too,"  running  to  the  open  doo* 
and  peeping  in. 

Everything  was  now  clean  and  neat,  carpets 
covered  the  rough  boards  of  the  floor,  curtains 
draped  the  windows  and  divided  the  large  room 
into  several  apartments,  in  each  of  which  was  8 
neat,  white  bed. 

But  little  of  their  heavy  furniture  had  been 
brought  with  them  from  the  old  home,  but  its 
place  was  partially  supplied  by  turning  packing 
boxes  into  chintz-covered  and  cushioned  lounges; 
and  toilet  tables,  whose  unsightliness  was  con- 
cealed by  dainty  drapery.  Ingenuity  and  taste 
had  done  wonders  in  making  the  house  com- 
fortable and  attractive  at  small  expense. 


Cjjapte  S 


"  'Tis  necessity, 
To  which  the  gods  must  yield." 

THE  children  had  said  their  prayers,  tired 
little  heads  were  laid  on  soft  white  pillows, 
weary  young  limbs  stretched  out  to  rest,  and 
leaving  a  kiss  on  each  rosy  mouth,  the  mother 
went  down  stairs  to  rejoin  her  husband  and 
aunt  in  the  sitting-room. 

She  found  Mrs.  Prior  with  them  ;  the  good 
woman  had  "  just  run  in  "  to  tell  them  of  a  girl 
in  want  of  a  place. 

"I  don't  know  anything  about  her,"  she 
went  on,  "except,  that  she's  aright  decent  look- 
ing girl  and  wants  to  work  out  a  spell  ;  and  that 
they  tell  me  the  family's  English  ;  respectable 
but  poor. 

"  If  you  would  wish  to  give  her  a  trial>  Mis' 
Keith,  I've  an  opportunity  to  send  her  word 
this  evening  and  as  like  as  not  she'd  get  a 
chance  to  come  in  with  some  of  the  country 
folks  to-morrow." 


DRED   KEITH.  113 

Mrs.  Keith  gladly  gave  consent,  feeiing  at 
the  moment  as  if  almost  any  sort  of  help  would 
be  better  than  none ;  then  asked,  "  Is  there  wiy 
school  in  town  that  you  could  recommend  foi 
ray  little  girls,  Mrs.  Prior  ?" 

"Well,  I  don't  know  of  but  cneand  I've 
my  doubts  about  that  bein'  such  as  you'd  want 
to  send  to.  Damaris  Drybread  s  the  teacher, 
and  I  shouldn't  judge  by  her  talk  that  she'd 
had  a  finished  education ;— not  by  no  means  \ 
still  she  may  do  well  enough  for  little  ones.  I 
haven't  any,  you  know,  so  I  haven't  tried  her.' 

"  Suppose  we  have  a  light,"  suggested  Mr 
Keith,  "  it's  growing  too  dark  for  us  to  see  each 
other's  faces." 

Mildred  rose,  went  to  the  kitchen,  and 
presently  returned  with  a  lighted  candle  and  a 
pair  of  snuffers,  which  she  placed  on  the  table. 

Miss  Stanhope  was  asking  what  sort  of 
society  was  to  be  found  in  the  place,  to  whicli 
Mrs.  Prior  made  answer, 

"Well,  ma'am,  we  have  pretty  much  alt 
sorts ;  and  yet  don't  divide  up  in  circles  like 
they  do  in  a  good  many  places.  I  s'pose  there'll 
be  more  of  that  as  the  town  grows  larger. 

"  There's  educated  folks  that's  fond  o'  booke 
and  the  like,  and  know  what  manners  is,  and 
how  to  talk  well,  and  there's  others  that's  rongfr 


114  MILDRED   EE1TH. 

and  ignorant,  yet  mostly  well  meaning  with  it 
all— real  honest  and  industrious. 

"  There  are  very  few  thieves,  if  any  ;  folks 
cave  their  doors  unlocked — sometimes  wide 
open  at  night,  and  their  clothes  hanging  out  on 
the  line ;  and  I  never  hear  of  anything  bein' 
took.  There's  very  little  drinking,  either ;  a 
drunken  man's  a  rare  sight  with  us." 

"  There  are  a  good  many  New  Englanders 
here,  are  there  not  ?"  inquired  Mr.  Keith. 

"  Yes,  quite  a  good  many  ;  and  from  York 
state  and  Pennsylvany  and  Yirginia;  from 
Jersey  too ;  I  hail  from  there  myself. 

"Bat  I  must  be  going,  it's  gettin'  late; 
evenins  is  so  short  this  time  o'  year — and  how- 
over  it  may  be  with  Mr.  Keith,  I  know  yoa 
women  folks  are  tired  enough  to  be  ready  for 
bed. 

"  Now  don't  be  formal  with  me,  but  run  in 
whenever  you  can.  I'll  always  be  glad  to  se« 
you. 

"  No,  never  mind  your  hat,  Mr.  Keith,  I 
don't  want  a  beau  ;  for  I'm  not  the  least  mite 
afraid.  Good-night  to  you  all,"  and  she  hur- 
ried away. 

The  candle  was  flaring  and  wasting  in  the 
wind.  Miss  Stanhope  fastened  to  snuff  it,  re- 
marking, "  These  are  miserable  tallows ;  get 


MILDRED   KEITH.  116 

me  some  candle  to-morrow,  Stuart,  and  I'll  try 
to  make  some  that  will  be  an  improvement 
npon  them.  We  have  the  moulds  and  the 
wick ;  all  we  want  is  the  tallow." 

Near  noon  of  the  next  day  a  flauntily  dressed 
j oung  woman  walked  in  at  the  open  door  and 
introduced  herself  to  Mrs.  Keith  as  the  "  Hing- 
lish  girl,  Tiny  Apple,  that  Mrs.  Prior  had  rec- 
ommended." 

Mrs.  Keith  received  her  kindly,  "  Can  you 
cook  and  do  general  housework  ?"  she  asked. 

"  Yes,  mum  ;  of  course,  that's  what  I  came 
for." 

"  I  hope  you  understand  how  to  work,  but 
it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  your  way  will 
always  be  what  will  suit  me  best ;  so  I  trust 
vou  are  willing  to  be  directed." 

"  If  you're  not  too  hard  to  please,  mum, 
I'll  suit,  I'm  sure." 

"  We  will  try  it.  Zillah,  show  Yiny  where 
she  is  to  sleep." 

"  Is  she  to  come  to  the  table  ?"  asked  Mil- 
dred,  when  the  two  had  disappeared  up  the 
stairway. 

''We  shall  see;  I  have  not  spoken  of  it 
yet.'' 

u  You  won't  put  up  with  that,  mother 
rarely?" 


116  MILDRED   KEITH. 

u  I  think  I  must  if  that  is  the  only  conditir  fc 
on  which  we  can  have  help  with  our  house- 
work." 

On  coming  down,  Yiny  was  directed  to  set 
the  table  for  dinner,  shown  where  to  find  the 
requisite  articles,  told  how  many  were  in  the 
family,  and  left  to  the  performance  of  her  task. 

Mildred  noted  the  number  of  plates  set  on, 
and  saw  that  Yiny  had  counted  herself  in  with 
the  rest. 

"  You  have  one  plate  too  many,"  she  said 
with  some  sharpness  of  tone. 

"No,  Miss." 

"You  certainly  have.  Here  are  eleven; 
and  we  are  only  ten." 

"  And  I  make  'leven,"  returned  Yiny,  a  hot 
flush  on  her  cheek  and  an  angry  gleam  in  her 
eyes. 

"You?' 

"  Yes,  Miss,  I'm  as  good  as  the  rest ;  and 
if  I  cook  the  victuals  I  'ave  a  right  to  eat 
'em." 

A  warning  glance  from  her  mother's  eye 
checked  the  angry  exclamation  on  the  tip  of 
Mildred's  tongue. 

u  We  will  consent  to  your  coming  to  the 
table  with  us,  Yiny,  on  condition  that  you  are 
always  neat  and  tidy  in  appearance,"  Mr» 


MILDRED   KEITH.  117 

Keith  remarked  in  a  quiet  tone.  "  And  now 
you  may  help  me  to  dish  up  the  dinner 

Aunt  Wealthy  was  busied  with  her  candle 
moulds  in  one  corner  of  the  kitchen ;  putting 
in  the  wicks. 

"  So  that  question's  settled,"  she  said  in 
an  aside  to  her  niece ;  "  and  I  think  you  have 
done  wisely,  Marcia." 

The  faces  that  surrounded  the  dinner-table 
tnat  day  were  a  study.  Those  of  Miss  Stan- 
hope and  Mrs.  Keith  wore  their  usual  placid 
expression,  but  Mildred's  was  flushed  and 
angry,  Eupert's  full  of  astonishment,  reflected 
to  some  extent  by  the  younger  ones,  while  that 
of  the  new  comer  expressed  self-assertion  and 
defiance. 

Mr.  Keith  glanced  quizzically  from  one  to 
another  for  a  moment.  Then  gave  his  atten- 
tion to  filling  the  plates ;  talking  at  the  same 
time  in  a  cheerful  strain. 

"  I  have  found  a  lot,  wife,  which  I  think 
will  suit  us  for  building  on.  If  nobody  feels 
too  tired  for  a  walk  after  tea  we  will  all  go  and 
look  at  it.  It  is  to  be  for  the  family,  and  the 
family  must  decide  as  to  its  merits." 

This  turned  the  current  of  thought  and  all 
the  young  people  grew  eager  and  animated. 
Tt  was  quite  evident  that  no  one  intended  to  be 


118  MILDRED   KEITH. 

too  much  fatigued  to  be  of  the  party  of  inspec- 
tion. 

In  the  midst  of  the  talk  a  low,  half-terrified 
exclamation  from  Fan  drew  the  attention  of  all, 
and  following  the  direction  of  her  glance  they 
Baw  a  tall  Indian  in  the  doorway,  while  beyond 
in  the  street,  were  many  others,  some  on  foot, 
eome  on  horseback,  some  in  the  act  of  die- 
mounting. 

They  were  of  both  sexes  and  all  ages ;  the 
papooses  tied  into  little  wooden  troughs  which 
the  mothers  stood  up  on  end  on  the  ground. 

The  babies  were  very  quiet,  not  a  whimper 
to  be  heard  from  any  of  them ;  though  they 
were  deprived  of  the  use  of  their  hands — their 
clothing  being  a  straight  strip  of  cloth  folded 
around  their  bodies  in  such  a  way  as  to  pin 
their  poor  little  arms  down  to  their  sides — and 
had  nothing  to  amuse  them  but  a  string  of  tiny 
bells  stretched  across  the  trough  in  front  of  their 
faces. 

"Ugh I"  said  the  Indian  on  the  doorstep, 
"ehawp!"  and  he  pointed  from  a  basket  of 
berries  his  squaw  had  set  down  beside  him  to 
the  loaf  on  the  table. 

"  Oh  do  let's  give  it  to  'im !  no  knowin' 
what  VU  do  if  we  don't  1"  cried  Viny  in  » 
fright. 


MILDRED   KEITH.  119 

"  It  will  be  a  good  enough  exchange,"  said 
Mr.  Keith,  taking  the  loaf  and  handing  it  to 
the  Indian.  "  Bring  a  pan  for  the  berries." 

The  Indian  passed  the  loaf  on  to  his  squaw 
with  a  grunt  of  satisfaction,  poured  a  quart  oi 
so  of  berries  into  the  pan  Yiny  had  hastened  to 
bring,  then  again  pointed  to  the  table. 

"What  now?"  asked  Mr.  Keith,  good- 
humoredly. 

The  Indian  replied  by  a  gesture  as  if  lifting 
a  cup  to  his  lips ;  and  Mildred  saying,  "  He's 
thirsty,"  hastened  to  pour  out  a  tumbler  of  milk 
and  hand  it  to  him. 

He  drank  it,  returned  the  glass  with  a  nod 
of  thanks  and  walked  away. 

"  I'll  just  run  hout  and  water  'em  hall,"  said 
Yiny,  hurrying  into  the  kitchen  for  a  bucket 
and  tin  cup,  "  it's  always  best  to  keep  on  the 
good  side  of  'em,  folks  tell  me,  if  you  don't  want 
to  run  no  risk  of  losin'  the  'air  hoff  yer  'ead." 

Mr.  Keith  was  standing  in  the  doorway 
*  here  the  Indian  had  been  a  moment  before. 

"  Come  and  look  at  them,  wife,  and  all  of 
yon,"  he  said,  "  it's  qui  ie  v  show  and  there's 
not  the  least  danger." 

Thus  encouraged  the  children  crowded  to 
the  door  and  window  and  found  much  amuse- 
ment in  watching  the  movements  of  the  savagei 


120  MILDRED    KEITH 

and  Viny's  efforts  to  win  favor  with  them ;  ef 
forts  apparently  well-directed,  for  the  day  was 
warm  and  they  drank  the  cool  water  freshly 
drawn  from  the  well  in  the  yard,  as  if  they 
found  it  very  refreshing. 

The  troop— some  thirty  or  forty  in  number 
— did  not  tarry  long ;  in  less  than  an  hour  they 
had  all  remounted  and  gone  on  their  way. 

"  There  1  them  savage  wild  Hinguns  :s  all 
clear  gone  and  hour  scalps  is  safe  for  the  pres- 
ent," remarked  Tiny,  with  a  sigh  of  relief  as 
the  last  one  disappeared  from  view  in  a  cloud 
of  dust  far  down  the  street. 

She  had  run  out  to  the  corner  of  the  house, 
dishtowel  in  hand,  to  watch  their  movements 
as  far  as  she  could  see  them. 

"Don't  talk  so;  you'll  frighten  the  chil- 
dren," said  Mildred,  reprovingly,  speaking  from 
the  front  door  where  she  stood  with  the  little 
ones  grouped  about  her. 

"I  don't  take  my  borders  from  you,"  mut- 
tered the  girl,  stalking  back  to  her  kitchen. 

After  an  early  tea  the  proposed  family  walk 
was  taken. 

The  lot — a  little  farther  to  the  north  thar 
Any  which  had  been  built  upon  as  yet,  on  the 
high  river  bank  and  overlooking  the  ferry — was 
pronounced  all  that  could  be  desired. 


MILDRED   KEITH.  121 

It  was  on  a  corner,  and  on  two  sides  afforded 
&  fine  view  of  the  river,  on  the  othars  of  town 
and  country. 

"  When  we  have  our  house  built,"  remarked 
Mi.  Keith,  "we'll  be  able  to  see  the  Kankakee 
Marsh  from  the  second  story  windows." 

"  Marsh  ?"  repeated  his  wife  in  a  tone  of 
alarm,  "how  far  off  is  it  ?" 

"  We're  about  two  miles  from  this  end ;  it 
is  two  hundred  miles  long,  you  remember,  ex- 
tending far  over  into  Illinois.  But  why  that 


"  Ague !" 

"  Well,  don't  let  us  cross  the  bridge  before 
we  come  to  it.  This  is  a  beautiful  spot.  I 
think  we  can,  in  a  few  years,  make  it  superior 
in  point  of  beauty  to  any  we  have  ever  lived 
in/' 

"  I  think  so  too,  if  we  can  keep  these  fine 
old  oaks." 

There  were  several  of  them ;  grand  old 
trees  that  had  stood  the  storms  of  centuries, , 
perhaps. 

"  We  will ;  we'll  manage  our  building  in  a 
way  not  co  interfere  with  them." 

At  thai  Mildred's  face  brightened  as  it  had 
not  since  her  first  sight  of  the  yellow  house. 

She  had  been  very  homesick  for  the  dear 
6 


122  MILDRED  KEITH. 

old  home  in  Lansdale,  though  not  a  word  of  it 
nad  she  breathed  even  into  her  mother's  sym- 
pathetic ear.  , 

"  How  soon  can  the  house  be  done  ?  she 
asked. 

"  Better  inquire  first  how  soon  it  will  be 
begun,"  laughed  her  father.  "  If  we  get  into  it 
by  next  spring  we  may  consider  ourselves  for- 
tunate." 

"  Oh  dear  I"  sighed  the  children  with  one 
accord. 

"  The  time  will  slip  around  before  you  know 
it,  dears,"  remarked  their  aunt  cheerily. 

"  And  we'll  soon  get  the  ground  fenced  in 
and  let  you  spend  your  leisure  time,  and  exer- 
cise your  taste  and  ingenuity  in  beautifying  it," 
said  their  father. 

"  And  may  we  all  help  plan  the  house  V 
asked  Rupert. 

Mr.  Keith  smiled,  a  kindly  good  natured 
smile,  with  some  amusement  in  it  too. 

"  You  may  all  make  suggestions ;  it  is  to 
be  our  house : — not  the  parents'  only,  but  the 
children's,  too." 


"  Heaven  gives  us  friends  to  bless  the  present  scene." 

— Toirao. 

"  On  Rhody  Jane,  Rhody  Jane,  I  say  just 
come  au'  look !" 

"  Look  at  what,  Einmaret  ?  you're  always 
inakin'  a  fuss  about  nothing"  returned  Miss 
Lightcap  scornfully,  but  nevertheless,  stepping 
very  promptly,  plate  and  dishcloth  in  hand,  to 
the  front  door  whence  the  hasty  summons  had 
come. 

"  'Taiu't  nothin'  this  time,"  Emmaretta 
went  on ;  "  they're  agoin'  to  Sunday  school, 
them  Keith  girls,  and  just  see  how  they're 
dressed  up!" 

"Did   you  ever    see    anything   so   fine!' 
chorused  Minerva ;  "  sech  lovely  dresses ;  and 
black  silk  aprons  with  colored  lace  onto  'em 
Oh  my  I  I  wish  I  had  one  like  'em  I" 

"  Maybe  you  shall  some  o'  these  days  when 
your  pop  gits  rich,"  said  her  mother,  who  was 
gazing  fiDm  the  window. 


124  MILDRED  KSITB. 

"  But  the  bonnets  is  what  takes  me.     Did 
you  notice  'em,  Khoda  Jane?  the' re     gimp 
with  blue  ribbings  and  blue  flowers." 

"  And  the  white  and  red  in  their  faces  make* 
them  powerful  becoming,"  remarked  Gotobed. 
standing  just  outside. 

But  he  turned  his  head  the  other  way, 
ghamefacedly,  as  Mildred,  looking  sweet  and 
fair  in  white  muslin  and  pink  ribbons,  followed 
her  younger  sisters  into  the  street,  and  sent  a 
casual  glance  in  his  direction 

"  Don't  she  think  she's  some  !"  said  Rhoda 
Jane  enviously. 

"  And  so  she  is ;  she  looks  like  a  posey,' 
said  Gotobed. 

"  Is  that  the  grandmother  ?  the  old  lady 
walking  with  Mr.  Keith." 

"No  ;  Viny  Apple  says  she's  Mrs.  Keith's 
aunt ;  and  talks  in  the  funniest  way  sometimes ; 
— gets  things  hind  part  before — telling  her  to 
make  up  the  floors  and  sweep  the  beds,  and  the 
like. 

"  There  they're  all  out  o'  sight.  1  guess  the 
mother's  stay  in'  to  home  with  the  baby  ;  Viny 
said  she  wasn't  agoiii'  to,  and  I  s'pose  she's  up 
stairs  primpin'." 

"  And  that's  what  you'd  ought  to  be  doin 
forelong,  if  you're  goin'  to  meetin',  Rhoda 


MILDRED  KEITH.  125 

Jane,  observed  Mrs.  Lightcap,  drawing  iu  her 
Lead.  "  Hurry  up  now  with  them  dishes.  And 
you  children  walk  right  in  here  and  hunt  up 
your  Sunday  things,  and  wash  your  hands  and 
faces  and  comb  your  hair  ;  it'll  be  meetin*  time 
'fore  we  know  it." 

A  narrow  foot-path,  bordered  on  each  side 
by  grass  still  wet  with  dew,  led  past  the  grove 
of  saplings  to  the  little  church  whither  the 
Keiths  were  bound. 

Mildred,  lifting  her  white  skirts  daintily, 
and  warning  her  sisters  and  brothers  of  the 
danger  of  wet  and  soiled  shoes,  should  they  step 
aside  from  the  beaten  track,  picked  her  way 
with  careful  steps,  rejoicing  in  the  fact  that  the 
distance  was  not  great. 

The  church  membership  was  as  yet  very 
small ;  Sabbath  school  ditto.  The  newly  ar- 
rived family  made  an  important  addition  to  the 
ranks  of  both  teachers  and  scholars. 

Two  Bible  classes  were  organized  this  morn- 
ing and  given,  respectively,  into  the  charge  of 
Mr.  Keith  and  Miss  Stanhope  ;  Rupert  becom- 
ing a  member  of  his  father's,  Mildred  of  Aunt 
Wealthy's.  There  were  but  two  others  iu  this 
latter  class;  Claudina  Chetwood  and  Lucilla 
Grange;  both  intelligent,  lady-like,  refined 
girls,  who  made  an  agreeable  impression  upon 


126  MILDRED   KEITH. 

Miss  Stanhope  and  Mildred  also.  And  this 
was  mutual. 

The  morning  service  followed  immediately 
upon  the  close  of  Sabbath  school.  The  sermon 
was  excellent ;  the  singing,  though  not  artistic, 
and  somewhat  interrupted  by  the  necessity  01 
lining  out  the  hymn,  on  account  of  the  scarcity 
of  books,  earnest  and  spirited  ;  the  people  sing- 
ing, apparently  with  the  understanding  and  the 
heart  also  ;  the  prayer  was  fervent,  and  the  be- 
havior of  the  congregation  throughout  tha 
whole  service  was  quiet  and  devotional. 

Most  of  them  were  town  folk,  but  a  few 
families  had  come  in  from  the  surrounding 
country. 

There  was  little  display  of  fashion  or  style 
in  dress ;  no  one  was  expensively  attired  ;  most 
of  the  women  and  girls  wore  calico;  but  all 
were  neat,  some  really  tasteful ;  and  in  intellect 
and  moral  worth,  the  majority  of  faces  would 
have  compared  favorably  with  an  equal  number 
in  the  older  States. 

People  lingered  after  church  for  mutual  in- 
troductions and  the  exchange  of  friendly 
remarks  and  inquiries.  The  Keiths  were 
warmly  welcomed,  assured  of  intentions  to  call, 
hopes  expressed  that  they  would  "  like  the 
place,"  feel  qu'te  at  home  in  the  church  and  be 


MILDRED   KEITH.  127 

sociable ;  the  country  people  adding  "  Come 
out  and  see  us  whenever  you  can." 

Squire  Chttwood  and  Mr.  Keith,  who  had 
made  acquaintance  during  the  preceding  week, 
DOW  introduced  their  families ;  each  with  very 
excusable  fatherly  pride  in  the  good  looks  and 
good  manners  of  his  offspring. 

The  young  Chetwoods  were  nearly  as  num. 
erous,  as  handsome  and  intelligent  as  the 
Keiths. 

"  I  hope  we  shall  be  good  friends,"  said 
Claudina,  as  she  and  Mildred  walked  away  to- 
gether. "  Mother  was  not  out  to-day  because 
of  a  headache  ;  but  she  and  I  are  coming  to  see 
vour  mother  and  you  this  week." 

"  We  shall  be  pleased  to  see  you,"  Mildred 
answered  heartily,  "  and  I  am  very  glad  to  ac- 
cept your  offer  of  friendship." 

They  parted  at  Mr.  Keith's  door,  mutually 
pleased,  and  Mildred  carried  a  brighter  face 
into  the  house  than  she  haa  worn  for  weeks. 

Her  mother  remarked  upon  it  with  delight 

"  Yes,  mother,"  she  responded  gayly,  "  I 
begin  to  feel  a  little  happier  about  living  here, 
now  that  I  find  we  are  to  have  good  preaching, 
Sunday  school — with  an  excellent  and  compe- 
tent teacher  for  my  share  " — glancing  archly  at 
A.unt  Wealthy's  kindly,  sensible  face — "and 


128  MILDRED  KEITH 

pleasant  friends  ;  *  going  on  to  give  a  flattering 
description  of  the  Chetwoods,  particularly 
Olaudina. 

"  I  hope  she  will  prove  a  valuable  friend 
and  a  very  great  comfort  to  you,  daughter," 
said  Mrs.  Keith.  "  You  need  young  compan- 
ionship and  I  am  very  glad  to  know  that  it 
will  be  provided." 

The  little  girls  had  been  up  stairs  putting 
away  their  best  bonnets. 

"Where's  Yiny  ?"  asked  Zillah,  running 
back  into  the  sitting-room  where  the  older  peo- 
ple still  were. 

"  She  went  out  telling  me  that  she  wouldn't 
be  back  till  bedtime,"  replied  the  mother. 

"  Leaving  us  to  do  our  own  work  1"  cried 
Mildred.  "Oh,  mother,  what  made  you  let 
her?" 

"  Let  her,  my  child  ?  she  did  not  ask  my 
permission,"  laughed  Mrs.  Keith ;  "  but  indeed 
I  think  we  are  quite  a&  .veil  off  without  her  for 
to-day  ;  as  we  do  no  cooking  on  Sunday." 

Before  another  week  had  passed,  Mildred 
was  ready  to  subscribe  to  the  opinion  that  they 
were  as  well  without  her  altogether — she  hav- 
ing proved  herself  utterly  inefficient,  slow  and 
slovenly  about  her  work,  unwilling  to  be  di- 
rected, impertinent,  bold  and  forward. 


MILDRED  KEITH.  129 

There  was  not  a  Jay  when  Mildred's  indig- 
nation did  not  rise  to  fever  heat  in  view  of  the 
many  and  aggravated  sins  of  omission  and  com- 
mission on  the  part  of  their  "  help ;"  yet  it  sel- 
dom found  vent  in  words.  She  was  striving 
with  determined  purpose  to  rule  her  own 
spirit,  and  asking  daily  and  hourly  for  strength 
for  the  conflict  from  Him  who  has  said,. "In 
me  is  thine  help,"  "  My  strength  is  made  per- 
fect in  weakness." 

The  example  set  her  by  her  mother  and 
aunt  was  also  most  helpful.  They  were  both 
cheerful,  patient,  sunny-tempered  women ; 
never  a  word  of  fretfulness  or  complaint  from 
the  lips  of  either;  Aunt  Wealthy  calm  and 
serene  as  an  unclouded  summer  day,  Mrs.  Keith 
often  bringing  to  her  aid  a  strong  sense  of  the 
ludicrous;  turning  her  vexations  into  occasions 
for  jesting  and  mirth. 

Mildred  knew  that  they  were  trials  never- 
theless, and  her  love  and  admiration,  and  her 
resolve  to  show  herself  worthy  to  be  the  daugh 
ter  of  such  a  mother,  grew  apace. 

To  the  affectionate  heart  of  the  unselfish 
girl  there  seemed  no  greater  trial  than  seeing 
this  dear  mother  overburdened  with  care  and 
toil ;  but  try  as  she  might  to  take  all  the  bur- 
dens on  her  young  shoulders,  it  was  utterly  im- 
6* 


130  MILDRED   KEITH. 

possible ;  and  while  the  conviction  that  to  set 
her  impatient  and  unhappy  would  add  to  her 
mother's  troubles,  helped  her  to  maintain  hei 
self-control,  the  reflection  that  Yiny's  short- 
comings added  largely  to  those  trials,  made  it 
tenfold  more  difficult  to  bear  with  them. 

So  also  with  the  little  tempers,  untidinesses, 
and  mischievous  pranks  of  her  younger  brothers 
and  sisters. 

Home,  even  a  happy  home,  is  often  a  hard- 
fought  battle-field ;  and  who  shall  say  that  there 
is  not  sometimes  more  true  courage  displayed 
there  than  in  another  kind  of  conflict  amid  the 
roar  of  cannon  and  clash  of  arms,  where  earthly 
glory  and  renown  are  to  be  won. 

The  Chetwoods  and  Granges,  and  several 
others  of  the  same  standing  in  society,  called 
that  week ;  also  Mr.  Lord,  the  minister,  brought 
his  old  mother  who  kept  house  for  him,  he 
being  a  bachelor. 

When  Yiny  happened  to  be  the  one  to  ad- 
mit callers,  she  seemed  to  think  it  incumbent 
upon  her  to  take  a  seat  in  the  parlor  with  them 
and  exert  herself  for  their  entertainment. 

Mildred  speedily  undertook  to  disabuse  hn 
of  thifi  impression,  but  the  girl  haughtily  m- 
formed  her  that  "  she  had  as  good  a  right  in  the 
parlor  as  anybody  else." 


MILDRED  KEITH.  131 

"  But  I  wouldn't  go  into  it  to  visit  with 
anybody  that  didn't  come  to  see  me/  said  Mil- 
dred, with  a  determined  effort  to  keep  dowi> 
ber  rising  anger. 

"  Well,  I  guess  they're  about  as  likely  tc 
want  to  see  me  as  any  o'  the  rest ;  and  if  they 
don't  they'd  ought  to.  So  there  I" 

"  But  you  have  your  work  to  attend  to." 

"The  work  can  wait.  And  the  rest  o' 
you's  got  plenty  to  do  too." 

The  only  remedy  was  to  keep  Yiny  busy 
in  the  kitchen  while  some  of  the  family  watched 
the  doors  into  the  streets  and  admitted  visitors. 

Even  this  stratagem  sometimes  failed  and 
they  could  only  console  themselves  that  the 
visitors  understood  the  situation. 

"Ain't  you  goin'  to  call  on  the  Keiths?" 
asked  Gotobed  Lightcap  at  the  dinner  table  one 
day  about  the  middle  of  the  week, 

"Who?  me?"  queried  his  mother;  then 
pushing  away  her  empty  plate,  and  resting  her 
elbow  on  the  table,  her  chin  in  her  hand,  while 
ehe  looked  reflectively  off  into  vacancy.  "  Well, 
I  s'pose  a  body'd  ought  to  be  neighborly,  and 
I'm  as  willin'  to  do  my  part  as  the  next  one ; 
but  there's  always  a  sight  of  work  to  do  at 
home ;  and  then  I  feel  kinder  backward  'bout 
callin'  on  'em ;  they  live  so  fine,  you  know ; 


iS2  MILDRED  KEITH. 

Viny  Apple  says  they  use  real  silver  spoons 
and  eat  off  real  chancy  every  day ;  an'  that's 
inore'n  we  can  do  when  we  have  company." 

"  Well,  old  woman,  I  gnesa  the  victual? 
don't  taste  no  better  for  bein'  eat  off  then; 
things,"  responded  her  husband,  cheerfully, 
passing  his  empty  cup. 

"  Maybe.  And  they  don't  have  no  tea  noi 
coffee  for  dinner,  Yiny  says.  I  think  it's  real 
stingy." 

"P'raps  they  don't  want  it,"  remarked 
Gotobed. 

"Don't  you  b'lieve  no  such  thing!"  ex- 
claimed Rhoda  Jane,  scornfully,  "  'tain't  fash- 
ionable ;  and  they'd  ruther  be  fashionable  than 
comfortable.  Yiny  says  they're  awful  stuck 
up ;  wouldn't  let  her  come  to  the  table  or  into 
the  parlor  if  they  could  help  themselves. 

"  But  I  don't  keer,  I'm  not  afeard  on  'em. 
if  mother  is;  and  I'm  goin'  over  there  this 
afternoon  ;  if  it's  only  to  let  'em  see  that  I  feel 
myself  as  good  as  they  be  any  day  ;  and  I'll  tell 
em  so  too,  if  they  don't  treat  me  right." 

"  Pshaw,  Rhoda  Jane,  how  you  talk  !"  said 
bei  mother. 

"  Well,  I'm  spunky,  mother;  that's  a  fact  ; 
and  I  ain't  a  bit  ashamed  of  it  nuther." 

"  Don't  jou  go  if  you  can't  behave  your- 


MILDRED   KEITH.  133 

self,1  said  Gotobed,  leaving  the  tiole  and  the 
room. 

Mrs.  Keith  had  gathered  her  children  about 
her  in  the  parlor,  it  being  the  shadiest  and 
coolest  apartment  in  the  house  in  the  after 
noon.  She,  herself,  Aunt  Wealthy  and  the 
little  girls  were  sewing,  while  Rupert  kept  the 
little  boys  quiet  and  interested  with  the  making 
of  a  kite,  and  Mildred  read  alond  from  Mrs. 
Sherwood's  "  Roxobelle." 

Mildred  had  a  clear,  sweet-toned  voice, 
enunciated  distinctly,  and  read  with  feeling 
and  expression;  so  that  it  was  a  pleasure  to 
listen  to  her. 

Rupert,  Zillah  and  Ada  were  also  good  read  • 
ers,  and  would  take  their  turns  as  such ;  for  this 
was  no  new  thing,  but  one  of  the  mother's  ways 
of  educating  her  children  and  training  them  to 
a  love  of  literature. 

While  many  another  thing  had  been  left  be- 
hind in  Ohio,  they  had  brought  all  their  books 
with  them.  Poetry,  histories,  biographies, 
books  of  travel,  religious  and  scientific  works, 
juvenile  story-books  and  a  few  novels,  all 
of  the  best  class,  were  to  be  fourd  among 
their  treasured  stores,  reveled  in  by  old  and 
young. 

Mr.  Keith  had  his  volumes  of  legal  lore 


134  MILDRED  KEITH. 

too,  but  with  these  the  other  members  of  tl.ti 
family  seldom  if  ever  cared  to  interfere. 

Mrs.  Sherwood  was  a  favorite  author  with 
the  young  people ;  they  were  reading  "  Roxo- 
belie  "  for  the  first  time  and  had  reached  a  most 
exciting  part — the  scene  where  the  little  dog 
had  led  Sophie  Beauchamp  into  the  room  where 
his  invalid  and  much  abused  mistress  lay, 
chained  by  disease  to  her  wretched  bed,  when 
Mrs.  Lightcap  and  Rhoda  Jane  appeared  in  the 
open  doorway. 

They  were  dressed  with  the  utmost  simplici 
ty — gowns,  aprons  and  sunbonnets  of  calico, 
made  without  regard  to  fashion  ;  no  collars  or 
cuffs  ;  hands  bare  and  brown  ;  faces  sunburnt, 
the  mother's  stolid,  the  girl's  sufficiently  sharp 
but  lacking  education  and  refinement. 

It  was  far  from  being  a  welcome  interrup- 
tion. Mildred  closed  her  book  with  a  half  sup- 
pressed sigh,  the  little  girls  exchanged  glances 
of  vexation  and  disappointment ;  Rupert,  too. 
scowled  and  uttered  an  exclamation  of  impa- 
tience half  under  his  breath  ;  but  Mrs.  Keith 
nid  Miss  Stanhope  rose  smilingly,  gave  the 
•,  isitors  a  cordial  greeting,  asked  them  to  be 
?cated  and  entered  into  conversation. 

"  It's  powerful  warm,"  remarked  Mrs.  Light- 
cap,  accepting  the  offered  chair  and  wiping  the 


MILDRED  KEITH.  136 

perspiration  from  her  heated  face  with  the  cor- 
ner  of  her  apron. 

"  Yes,  it  has  been  an  unusually  warm  day," 
responded  Miss  Stanhope,  handing  a  fan  ;  while 
Mrs.  Keith  asked  if  they  would  not  take  ofi 
their  bonnets. 

"  Well  ma'am,  I  don't  care  if  I  do,"  re- 
turned Mrs.  Lightcap,  pulling  hers  off  and  lay- 
ing it  on  her  lap  ;  Khoda  Jane  doing  likewise. 

"  Let  me  lay  them  on  the  table,"  Mildred 
eaid,  recovering  her  politeness. 

"  No,  thank  you ;  'tain't  worth  while  fur 
the  few  minutes  we're  agoin'  to  set ;  they's  no 
ways  hefty. 

"  Our  names  is  Lightcap  ;  this  here's  my 
daughter  Khoda  Jane  and  she  says  to  me, 
4  mother,'  says  she,  '  we'd  ought  to  be  sociable 
with  them  new  neighbors  of  ourn  ;  let's  go 
over  and  set  a  bit.'  No,  now  what  am  I  talkin' 
abont?'  'twan't  her  nuther,  'twas  Gote  that 
bpoke  of  it  first ,  but  my  gal  here  was  more'n 
vvilling  to  come." 

"  Yes,  we  always  try  to  be  neighborly,"  as- 
sented the  girl.  "How  do  you  like  Pleasant 
Plains,  ladies  ?" 

"  It  seems  a  pleasant  town  and  we  find 
very  pleasant  people  in  it,"  was  Mrs.  Keith's 
smiling  rejoinder. 


136  MILDRED  KEITH. 

"That's  the  talk!"  exclaimed  Miss  Light- 
cap  laughing.  "  You'l.  do,  Mis'  Keith." 

"  Comin'  so  late  you  won't  be  able  to  raise 
no  garden  sass  this  year,"  remarked  the  mother  ; 
then  went  on  to  give  a  detailed  account  of  what 
they  had  planted,  what  was  growing  well,  and 
what  was  not,  with  an  occasional  digression  to 
her  husband,  her  cooking  and  housework,  the 
occasional  attacks  of  "  agur  "  that  interfered 
with  her  plans ;  and  so  on  and  so  on — her 
daughter  managing  to  slip  in  a  word  or  two 
now  and  then. 

At  length  they  rose  to  go. 

"  How's  Viny  ?"  queried  Rhoda  Jane,  ad- 
dressing Mildred. 

"  Quite  well,  I  believe,"  replied  Mildred  in 
a  freezing  tone,  and  drawing  herself  up  with 
dignity. 

"  Tell  her  we  come  to  see  her  too,"  laughed 
the  girl,  as  she  stepped  from  the  door,  "  Good- 
bye. Hope  you  won't  be  ceremonious,  but  mr 
In  sociable  any  time  o*  day." 


"  Zeal  and  duty  are  not  slow : 
Bat  on  occasion's  forelock  watchful  wait." 

— MlLTOJt. 

"  THE  impudent  thing !"  exclaimed  Mil 
dred  to  her  mother  with  a  flushed  and  angrj 
face ;  "  putting  us  and  onr  maid  of  all  work  on 
the  same  level !  Visit  her  ?  Not  I,  indeed . 
and  I  do  hope,  mother,  that  neither  you  nor 
Aunt  Wealthy  will  ever  cross  their  threshold." 

"  My  dear,  she  probably  did  not  mean  it,* 
said  Mrs.  Keith. 

"And  now  let  us  go  on  with  our  story, 
Yon  have  all  waited  quietly  and  politely  like 
good  children." 

"Gotobed  Lightcap  1  Lightcap  !  Gotobed 
Nightcap  !"  sang  Cyril,  tumbling  about  on  the 
carpet.  "  O  Don,  don't  you  wish  you  had  such 
a  pretty  name  ?" 

"No    I  wouldna ;  I  just  be  Don.' 

"  There,  dears,  don't  talk  now  ;  sister's  go. 


138  MILDRED  KEITH. 

ng  to  read,  said  their  mother.  "  If  jou  don't 
A-ant  to  be  still  and  listen  you  may  run  out 
ind  play  in  the  yard." 

"  Somebody  else  tumin',"  whispered  Fan. 
Calling  at  her  mother's  skirts. 

Mildred  closed  again  the  book  she  had  just 
fesuined,  rose  and  inviting  the  new  comer  to 
enter,  handed  her  a  chair. 

She  was  a  tall,  gaunt,  sallow-corn plexioned 
<voman  of  uncertain  age,  with  yellow  hair,  pale 
watery  blue  eyes,  and  a  sanctimonious  expres- 
sion of  countenance. 

Her  dress  was  almost  austere  in  its  simpli- 
city ;  a  dove-colored  calico,  cotton  gloves  of  a 
little  darker  shade,  a  white  muslin  handkerchief 
crossed  on  her  bosom,  a  close  straw  bonnet 
with  no  trimming  but  a  skirt  of  plain,  white 
ribbon  and  a  piece  of  the  same  put  straight 
across  the  top,  brought  down  over  the  ears  and 
tied  under  the  chin. 

"  My  name  is  Drybread,"  she  announced 
with  a  slight,  stiff  courtesy  ;  tbv:  seating  her- 
self bolt  upright  on  Mildrec  .•  offered  chair, 
tfaitec  to  be  addressed. 

"  Mrs.  or  Miss  1"  queried  Mrs.  Keith  pleas- 
antly. 

"Miss.    And  yours?" 

"  Mrs.  Keith.    Allow  me  to  introduce  mv 


MILDRED  KEITH.  139 

annt,  Miss  Stanhope,  and  my  daughter  Mildred. 
These  little  people  too  belong  to  me." 

"  Gueth  we  do  so  ?"  said  Don,  showing  a 
double  row  of  pearly  teeth,  "  cauth  you're  OBI 
own  mamma.  Ain't  she,  Cyril  ?" 

"Do  you  go  to  school,  my  little  man?' 
asked  the  visitor,  unbending  slightly  in  the 
stiffness  of  her  manner. 

"  Ain't  your  man  !  don't  like  dwy  bwead, 
'cept  when  I'se  vewy  hungwy." 

"  Neither  do  I,"  chimed  in  Cyril.  "  And 
we  don't  go  to  school.  Papa  says  we're  not 
big  enough." 

"  Don  !  Cyril !  my  little  boys  must  not  be 
rude,"  reproved  the  mamma.  "  Run  away  now 
to  your  plays." 

"  They're  pretty  children,"  remarked  the 
caller  as  the  twain  disappeared. 

"Yery  frank  in  the  expression  of  their 
sentiments  and  wishes,"  the  mother  responded 
emiling. 

"  Extremely  so,  I  should  say  ;"  added  Mil- 
dred dryly. 

"  Is  it  not  a  mother's  duty  to  curb  and 
restrain  ?"  queried  the  visitor,  fixing  her  cold 
blue  eyes  upon  Mrs.  Keith's  face. 

"  Certainly  ;  where  she  deems  it  needful." 

Mrs.  Keith's   tones  were   perfectly  sweet. 


140  MILDRED   KEITH. 

tempered ;  Mildred's  not  quite  so,  sis  she  added 
with  emphasis,  "And  no  one  so  capable  of 
judging  when  it  is  needful  as  my  mother." 

"Quite  natural  and  proper  sentiments  foi 
her  daughter,  no  doubt.  How  do  y<ya  like 
Pleasant  Plains  f" 

The  question  was  addressed  more  particular- 
ly to  Miss  Stanhope,  and  it  was  she  who  replied. 

"  We  are  quite  disposed  to  like  the  place 
Miss  Stalebread ;  the  streets  are  widely  pleas- 
ant and  would  be  quite  beautiful  if  the  forest 
trees  had  been  left." 

"My  name  is  Z^bread !  a  good  honest 
name;  if  not  quite  so  aristocratic  and  fine 
sounding  as  Keith." 

"  Excuse  me  !"  said  Miss  Stanhope.  "  I 
have  an  unfortunate  kind  of  memory  for  names 
and  had  no  intention  of  miscalling  yours." 

"  Oh  1  then  it's  all  right. 

"  Mrs.  Keith,  I'm  a  teacher ;  take  young 
boys  and  girls  of  all  ages.  Perhaps  you  might 
feel  like  entrusting  me  with  some  of  yours.  I 
see  you  have  quite  a  flock." 

"  I  will  take  it  into  consideration,"  Mrs. 
Keith  answered;  "What  branches  do  yoo 
teach  ?" 

"  Reading,  writing,  arithmetic,  geography 
and  English  grammar." 


MILDRED  KEITH.  141 

"I've  heard  of  teachers  boarding  round,*" 
remarked  Mildred,  assailed  by  a  secret  appre- 
hension; "is  that  the  way  you  do?" 

"  No ;  I  live  at  home,  at  my  father's." 

Miss  Dry  bread  was  scarcely  out  of  earshot 
when  Ada  burst  out  vehemently. 

"  I  don't  want  to  be  distrusted  to  her!  she 
doesn't  look  distrusty,  does  she,  Zillah  ?  Mother 
please  don't  consider  it !" 

"  But  just  say  yes  at  once  ?"  asked  mother 
playfully,  pressing  a  kiss  upon  the  little  flushed, 
anxious  face. 

"  Oh  no,  no,  no !  please,  mamma  dear ;" 
cried  the  child  returning  the  caress  and  putting 
her  arms  lovingly  about  her  mother's  neck. 
"  You  didn't  like  her,  did  you  ?" 

Mrs.  Keith  acknowledged  laughingly  that 
ehe  had  not  been  very  favorably  impressed,  and 
Zillah  joining  in  Ada's  entreaties,  presently 
promised  that  she  would  try  to  hear  their  les- 
sons at  home.  A  decision  which  was  received 
with  delight  and  a  profusion  of  thanks  and 


Mildred  was  glad  to  find  herself  alone  witl 
her  mother  that  evening  for  a  short  time,  after 
the  younger  ones  were  in  bed ;  for  she  had  a 
plan  to  unfold. 

It  was  that  she  should  act  as  governess  to 


i42  MILDRED  KEIIB 

her  sisters,  and  the  little  boys,  if  the}  were  con- 
sidered old  enough  now  to  begin  the  ascent  of 
the  hill  of  science. 

"  My  dear  child  1"  the  mother  said  with  a 
look  of  proud  affection  into  the  glowing  ani- 
mated face,  "I  full}7-  appreciate  the  love  and 
self-devotion  to  me  and  the  children  that  have 
prompted  this  plan  of  yours ;  but  I  am  by  no 
means  willing  to  lay  such  heavy  burdens  on 
your  young  shoulders." 

"  But  mother—" 

"  Wait  a  little,  dearie,  till  I  have  said  my 
Say.  Your  own  studies  must  be  taken  up 
again.  Your  father  is  greatly  pleased  with  an 
arrangement  he  has  just  made  for  you  and  Ku- 
j^C-t  and  Zillah  to  recite  to  Mr.  Lord. 

"  The  English  branches,  Latin,  Greek  and 
the  higher  mathematics,  are  what  he  is  willing 
to  undertake  to  teach." 

Mildred's  eyes  sparkled.  "  O  mother,  how 
glad  I  am  !  Will  he  open  a  school?" 

"No;  only  hear  recitations  for  a  couple  of 
hours  every  week-day  except  Saturdays,  whicl 
lie  says  he  must  have  unbroken  fcr  his  pulpi? 
preparations. 

"  \our  father  thinks  he  is  very  glad  of  tlif 
opportunity  to  add  a  little  to  his  salary ;  which 
of  course,  is  quite  small." 


MILDRED  KEITH.  H 

1  Then  we  study  at  home  ?  I  shall  like  that. 
But  he  won't  take  little  ones  ?" 

"No;  none  that  are  too  young  to  learu 
Latin.  Your  father  wants  Zillah  to  begin  that 
now ;  and  he  hopes  that  a  few  others  will  join 
the  class — some  of  the  Chet woods,  perhaps." 

Mildred's  face  was  all  aglow  with  delight ; 
for  she  had  a  great  thirst  for  knowledge,  and 
there  had  seemed  small  hope  of  satisfying  it  in 
this  little  frontier  town  where  the  means  for 
acquiring  a  liberal  education  were  so  scant  and 
poor. 

"  So  you  see,  daughter,  you  will  have  na 
lack  of  employment,"  Mrs.  Keith  went  on; 
"  especially  as  with  such  inefficient  help  in  the 
kitchen  and  with  general  housework,  I  shall 
often  be  compelled  to  call  upon  you ;  or  rather," 
she  added,  with  a  slight  caress,  "  to  accept  the 
assistance  you  are  only  too  ready  to  give." 

"  It  is  too  bad  1"  cried  the  girl,  indignantly ; 
'thatYiny  doesn't  earn  her  salt!  I  wondei 
how  you  can  have  patience  with  her,  mother, 
if  I  were  her  mistress  I'd  have  sent  her  off  at  a 
moment's  warning  long  before  this." 

41  Let  us  try  to  imitate  God's  patience  with 
us,  which  is  infinite ;"  Mrs.  Keith  answered  low 
and  reverently  ;  "  let  us  bear  with  her  a  little 
'onger.  But  indeed,  I  do  not  know  that  we 


14*  MILDRED   KEITH. 

could  fill  her  place  with  any  one  who  would 
be  more  competent  or  satisfactory  in  any  way." 

"  I'm  afraid  that  is  quite  true  ;  but  it  does 
seem  too  hard  that  such  a  woman  as  my  gifted, 
intellectual,  accomplished  mother  should  have 
to  spend  her  life  in  the  drudgery  of  housework, 
cooking,  mending  and  taking  care  of  babies." 

"  No,  dear  ;  you  are  taking  a  wrong  view  of 
it.  God  appoints  our  lot;  he  chooses  all  our 
changes  for  us ;  Jesus,  the  God-man,  dignified 
manual  labor  by  making  it  Irs  own  employ- 
ment during  a  great  part  of  his  life  on  earth ; 
and  '  it  is  enough  for  the  disciple  that  he  be  a? 
his  Master,  and  the  servant  as  his  Lord.' 

"  Besides,  what  sweeter  work  can  a  mother 
have  than  the  care  and  training  of  her  own  off- 
spring 1" 

"  But  then  the  cooking,  mother,  and  all  the 
rest  of  it !" 

"Well,  dear,  the  health,  and  consequently 
tho  happiness  and  usefulness  of  my  husband 
and  children,  depend  very  largely  upon  the 
proper  preparation  of  their  food ;  so  that  is  no 
mean  task." 

"  Ah,  mother,  you  are  determined  to  make 
out  a  good  case  and  not  to  believe  yourself 
tiardly  used/'  said  Mildred,  smiling,  yet  speak- 
ing in  a  half  petulant  tone. 


MILDRED    KEITH.  Ufc 

u  No,  I  am  not  hardly  used ;  my  life  is 
crowned  with  mercies,  of  the  very  least  of  which 
I  am  utterly  unworthy,"  her  mother  answered, 
gently. 

"  And,  my  child,  I  find  that  any  woik  is 
sweet  when  done  '  heartily  as  to  the  Lord  and 
not  unto  men  !'  What  sweeter  than  a  service 
of  love !  '  Be  ye  followers  of  God  as  dear  chil- 
dren.' " 

"Yes,"  said  Aunt  Wealthy,  coming  in  at 
the  moment;  "  '  as  dear  children,' not  as  ser- 
vants or  slaves,  but  doing  the  will  of  God  from 
the  heart ;  not  that  we  may  be  saved,  but  be- 
cause we  are  saved ;  our  obedience  not  the 
ground  of  our  acceptance;  but  the  proof  of  our 
love  to  Him,  our  faith  in  Him  who  freely  gives 
us  the  redemption  purchased  for  us  by  His  own 
blood.  Oh  what  a  blessed  religion  it  is  !  how 
sweet  to  belong  to  Jesus  and  to  owe  everything 
to  him !" 

"  I  feel  it  so,"  Mrs.  Keith  said,  with  an  an  • 
dertone  of  deep  joy  in  her  sweet  voice. 

"And  I,"  whispered  Mildred,  laying  her 
head  in  her  mother's  lap  as  she  knelt  at  her 
side,  as  had  been  her  wont  in  childish  days. 

They  were  all  silent  after  that  for  many 
miuutes,  sitting  there  in  the  gloaming ;  Mrs. 
Keith's  hand  passing   softly,  caressingly  over 
7 


*46  MILDRED   KEITH. 

her  daughter's  hair  and  cheeks-  then  Mildrec 
spoke. 

"  Let  me  try  it,  mother  dear ;  teaching  the 
children,  I  mean.  You  know  there  is  nothing 
helps  one  more  to  be  thorough  ;  and  I  want  tc 
fit  myself  for  teaching  if  ever  I  should  have  nw 
own  living  to  earn." 

"  Well,  well,  my  child,  you  may  try." 

"  That's  my  own  dear  mother !"  exclaimed 
the  girl  joyfully,  starting  up  to  catch  and  kiss 
the  hand  that  had  been  caressing  her.  "  Now, 
I  must  arrange  my  plans.  I  shall  have  to  be 
very  systematic  in  order  to  do  all  I  wish." 

"Yes,"  said  Miss  Stanhope,  "one  can  ac- 
complish very  little  without  system,  but  often 
a  great  deal  with  it." 

Mildred  set  to  work  with  cheerfulness  and 
a  great  deal  of  energy  and  determination,  and 
showed  herself  not  easily  conquered  by  difficul- 
ties ;  the  rest  of  that  week  was  given  to  planning 
and  preparing  for  her  work,  and  on  tho  following 
Monday  her  long  neglected  studies  wore  re- 
sumed and  her  duties  as  family  governors  en« 
tered  upon. 

These  took  up  the  morning  from  nine  to 
twelve,  but  by  early  rising  and  diligence  she 
was  able  to  do  a  good  deal  about  the  house  be- 
fore the  hour  for  lessons  to  begin. 


MILDRED  KEITH,  147 

Her  mother  insisted  that  she  must  have  an 
hour  for  recreation  every  afternoon,  taking  a 
walk  when  the  wearther  permitted  ;  then  anothei 
for  study,  and  the  two  with  Mr.  Lord  left  but  a 
email  margin  for  anything  else ;  the  sewing 
and  reading  with  mother  and  sisters  usually 
filled  out  the  remainder  of  the  day. 

Sometimes  her  plans  worked  well  and  she 
was  able  to  go  through  the  round  of  self-im- 
posed duties  with  satisfaction  to  herself  and  to 
that  of  her  mother  and  aunt,  who  looked  on  with 
great  interest  and  were  ever  on  the  watch  to 
lend  a  helping  hand  and  keep  hindrances  out 
of  her  way. 

But  these  last  would  come  now  and  again, 
in  the  shape  of  callers,  accidents,  mischievous 
pranks  on  the  part  of  the  little  ones  or  delin- 
quencies on  that  of  the  maid  of  all  work,  till  at 
times  Mildred's  patience  and  determination 
were  sorely  tried. 

She  would  grow  discouraged,  be  nearly  ready 
to  give  up,  then  summon  all  her  energies  to 
the  task,  battle  with  her  difficulties  and  fora 
tune  rise  superior  to  them. 

But  a  new  foe  appeared  upon  the  field  and 
vanquished  her.  It  wa?  the  ague,  attacking 
now  one,  and  now  another  of  the  family ;  soou 
they  were  seldom  all  well  and  it  was  no  un- 


148  MILDRED   KEITH. 

con  mon  thing  for  two  or  three  to  be  down  with 
it  at  once.  Viny  took  it  and  left,  and  they 
hardly  knew  whether  to  be  glad  or  sorry. 

Governessing  had  to  be  given  up,  nursing 
and  housework  substituted  for  that  and  for 
sewing  and  reading,  while  still  for  some  weeks 
longer  the  lessons  with  Mr.  Lord  were  kept  up ; 
but  at  length  they  also  had  to  be  dropped,  for 
Mildred  herself  succumbed  to  the  malaria  and 
grew  too  weak,  ill  and  depressed  for  study. 


"  We're  not  ourselves, 

When  nature,  being  oppress'd,  commands  the  mind 
To  suffer  with  the  body." 

SHAKB.  Kmo  L«AB. 

THE  neighbors  were  very  kind  ;  coming  in 
with  offers  of  assistance  in  nursing  the  sick, 
bringing  dainties  to  tempt  their  appetites,  en- 
couraging them  with  the  assurance  that  they 
were  but  sharing  the  common  lot;  "almost 
everybody  expected  a  chill  about  once  in  two 
or  three  weeks;  especially  this  time  of  year; 
and  they  weren't  often  disappointed,  and 
thought  themselves  fortunate  if  they  could  stop 
at  one  paroxysm  till  the  week  came  round  again. 

"  Quinine  would  generally  stop  it,  and  when 
people  had  a  long  siege  of  the  ague,  they  often 
got  used  to  it  so  far  as  to  manage  to  keep  up 
and  about  their  work;  if  not  at  all  times  at 
least  between  the  chills,  which  as  a  general 
thing  came  only  every  other  day. 

"  Indeed  it  was  no  unusual  thing  for  them 


1 50  MILDRED   KEITH. 

to  feel  quite  bright  and  well  on  the  intermedi- 
ate day." 

The  Lightcaps  were  not  a  whit  behind  the 
others  in  these  little  acts  of  kindness.  Rhoda 
Jane  forgot  her  envy  of  Mildred  on  learning 
that  she  was  sick  and  seemed  to  have  lost  her 
relish  for  food. 

One  morning  Miss  Stanhope,  who  was  get- 
ting breakfast,  was  favored  with  an  early  call 
from  Miss  Lightcap. 

She  appeared  at  the  open  kitchen  door 
basket  in  hand,  and  marched  in  without  stop- 
ping to  knock.  "  I  heerd  Miss  Mildred  was 
eick  and  couldn't  eat  nothin',"  she  said  ;  "  and 
I  knowed  you  hadn't  no  garden  sass  o'  your 
own ;  so  I  fetched  over  eome  toiuats ;  we  have 
a  lot  this  year,  real  splendid  big  ones,  and  there 
ain't  nothiu'  tastes  better  when  you're  gettiu' 
over  the  agur,  than  tomats. 

"  Just  you  cut  'em  up  with  vinegar  and 
pepper  and  salt,  and  if  she  don't  say  they're 
first-rate  eatin'— I'm  mistaken ;  that's  all." 

"  Thank  you,  you're  very  kind,  Miss  Night- 
cap,"  said  Aunt  Wealthy,  looking  so  pleased 
and  grateful  that  the  girl  could  not  take  the 
misnomer  as  an  intentional  insult. 

"  Pshaw !"  she  said,  «  it's  nothin' ;  weVe 
plenty  of  'em." 


MILDRED   KEITH.  I5i 

Having  emptied  her  basket  upon  the  tal>!<», 
she  was  starting  for  the  door,  but  looked  back 

"  Say,  do  you  want  a  girl  ?" 

'  Tea,  indeed,  if  we  can  get  one  that's 
worth  anything." 

"  Well,  Celestia  Ann  Hunsinger  told  me 
she  wouldn't  mind  coming  here  for  a  spell  ; 
'cause  she  wants  money  to  git  new  clo'es." 

"  What  sort  of  a  girl  is  she  ?" 

"  Pretty  high-strung  and  spunky,  but  some 
punkuns  for  work." 

"  Thank  you.  I'll  tell  Mrs.  Keith  about  it, 
and  send  you  word  directly  after  breakfast." 

"  All  right.  I  guess  she'll  come  if  you 
want  her." 

She  was  scarcely  gone  when  the  door  at  the 
foot  of  the  stairs  opened,  and  Mildred's  pale 
face  appeared. 

"  Aunt  Wealthy,  it  is  too  bad  to  see  you  at 
work  here.  Let  me  get  breakfast.  I  do  think 
I  can.  The  children  are  dressing  each  other, 
mother  has  the  baby  and  won't  let  me  do  any- 
thing  up  there." 

"  Well,  you'll  nnt  find  me  a  whit  more 
tractable,"  returned  Miss  Stanhope.  "  Let  you 
get  breakfast,  indeed  i  I'd  be  worse  than  a 
brute  if  I  did. 

"  Go  intr  the  sitting-room  and  lie  down  on 


152  MILDRED   KEITH. 

the  lounge,"  she  continued  taking  up  cue  of 
the  finest  tomatoes  and  beginning  to  divest  it 
of  its  skin,  "  and  I'll  bring  you  something  pies- 
ently  that  I  really  hope  will  taste  good  to  you . 

"  That  Miss  Heavycap  brought  you  a  pres- 
ent. She's  not  over  refined,  but  good-hearted, 
I  think,  in  spite  of  her  rude  ways  and  rough 
talk." 

"  Yes,  they  have  been  very  kind  and  neigh- 
borly ;  I  wish  they  were  the  sort  of  people  one 
could  enjoy  being  intimate  with,"  Mildred 
eaid,  languidly.  "  Auntie,  let  me  skin  those 
tomatoes." 

"  Child,  you  look  ready  to  drop." 

"  Do  I  ?"  smiling  faintly,  "  well,  I'll  sit 
down  to  it.  I  really  can't  let  you  do  every- 
thing. How  fine  and  large  these  are ;  are  they 
what  Khoda  Jane  brought  ?" 

"  Tes ;  for  your  breakfast.  I  hope  you'll 
relish  them ;  and  the  corn-pone  I  have  in  the 
oven,  too." 

"  See  here !  haven't  I  learned  how  ?"  cried 
Rupert  exultingly,  stepping  in  at  the  open 
door  and  holding  up  a  foaming  bucket  of  milk 
"  Viny  never  persuaded  old  Suky  to  give  us  so 
much." 

"  It's  beautiful,"  said  Aunt  Wealthy,  tab 
ing  it  from  him  wit!  a  congratulatory  smile 


MILDRED   KEITH.  153 

"  I'll  strain  it  at  once  before  the  cream  begin? 
to  rise." 

"  I'll  carry  the  pans  down  cellar.  And  what 
more  can  I  do,  auntie  ?" 

"  Fou  may  draw  the  butter  up  out  of  the 
well,  presently,  when  breakfast  is  quite  ready." 

"  And  let  it  down  again  when  the  meal's 
over.  Hello,  Milly !  is  that  you  ?  how  white 
and  weak  you  look  1" 

"  Yes,"  she  said,  laying  the  last  tomato  in 
the  dish,  "  I  believe  I'll  have  to  lie  down,  as 
Aunt  Wealthy  bade  me,  till  breakfast  is  ready." 

She  tottered  into  the  sitting-room  and  laid 
herself  down  on  the  lounge  feeling  so  miserably 
weak  and  forlorn,  so  homesick  for  the  old  home 
where  they  had  all  enjoyed  good  health,  that 
the  tears  would  come  in  spite  of  every  effort  to 
restrain  them. 

BreaM'ast  was  to  be  eaten  here ;  the  table 
was  already  set,  neatly,  too,  with  snowy  cloth, 
shining  silver  and  delicate  china ;  but  there  wae 
\  look  of  discomfort  about  the  room  that  vexed 
and  tried  her  orderly  soul ;  sand  on  the  carpet, 
dust  on  the  furniture,  children's  toys  and  a  few 
articles  of  clothing  scattered  here  and  there — 
and  she  had  no  strength  to  rise  and  put  it  in 
order. 

"And  no  one  else  is  much  better  able,"  she 


154  MILDRED   KEITH. 

aighed  to  herself,  "  for  Aunt  Wealthy,  mothei 
and  Zillah  have  all  had  chills  within  a  week. 
Oh  dear,  this  dreadful  country !  why  did  we 
ever  come  to  it !" 

She  heard  her  father's  voice  in  the  kitchen. 

"  Here,  Aunt  Wealthy,  is  some  steak ;  rather 
better  than  usual,  I  think ;  can  we  have  a  bit 
broiled  for  breakfast  ? "  and  Miss  Stanhope'e 
cheery  tones  in  reply, 

"Yes,  Stuart,  I'll  put  it  right  on.  I'm  so 
glad  you  succeeded  in  getting  some  fresh  meat. 
It's  something  of  a  rarity  to  us  in  these  days, 
and  I  hope  they'll  all  relish  it,  Marcia  and 
Milly,  especially  ;  for  they  both  need  something 
to  build  up  their  strength." 

"  Where  are  they  ?  not  able  to  be  up  f 

His  tone  was  anxious  and  concerned. 

Mildred  did  not  catch  the  words  of  Mis&< 
Stanhope's  reply,  but  the  door  opened,  her  fa- 
ther came  to  her  side,  stooped  over  her  and 
kissed  her  pale  cheek  tenderly. 

"  How  are  you,  daughter  ?  Don't  be  dis- 
.onraged  ;  we'll  have  you  all  right  before  long.' 

"  O  father,  I'm  so  out  of  heart,"  she  sobbed, 
raising  herself  to  put  her  arms  round  his  neck 
and  lay  her  head  on  his  shoulder. 

"  Oh,  that  won't  do  1  you  must  be  bravs 
rnd  hopeful,"  he  said,  stroking  her  hah 


MILDRED   KEITH.  155 

*  You're  not  ho  very  ill,  my  child ;  ague  is  not 
a  dangerous  disease." 

"  It  isn't  that,  but  there's  so  much  to  be 
done  and  ncbody  to  do  it ;  we're  all  so  poorly." 

"Don't  fret  about  the  work;  we'll  find 
Borne  one  to  do  it." 

"  But  they  don't  do  it  right.  Viny  never 
would  spread  up  a  bed  straight  or  sweep  or 
dust  without  leaving  half  the  dirt  behind  her. 
And  when  she  washed  she  faded  the  calicoes, 
shrank  the  flannels  and  made  the  white  clothes 
a  wretched  color,  though  she  tore  them  tc 
pieces  with  hard  rubbing  and  wringing." 

"Well,  we'll  have  just  to  try  not  to  mind 
these  trifles  or  be  too  particular,"  he  said,  sooth- 
ingly. "Ah,  here  comes  the  breakfast,"  as 
Miss  Stanhope,  Rupert,  Zillah  and  Ada  trooped 
in,  each  bearing  a  dish, "  let  me  help  you  to  the 
table." 

"  I  dpn't  feel  in  the  least  hungry,"  ehe  ol> 
jected. 

"  Then  eat  to  please  father." 

"  And  mother  too,"  said  Mrs.  Keith  corning 
in  with  Baby  Annis  in  her  arms.  "  Come, 
daughter,  dear,  auntie  has  prepared  an  excellent 
meal  for  us.  With  some  help  from  our  kind 
neighbors  too,  I  hear." 

"  Yes,"  assented  Miss  Stanhope,  "  and  I've 


166  MILDRED   KEITH. 

directed  them  according  to  preparations  and 
they  do  taste  good.  Come  now ;  when  I  see 
you  eating,  I'll  tell  you  a  bit  of  news  the  girl 
brought  besides." 

Mildred  laughed,  felt  her  spirits  begin  to 
rise,  tasted  the  tomatoes,  pronounced  them  ex- 
cellent and  went  on  to  make  a  good  hearty 
meal. 

The  world  looked  brighter  after  that. 

It  had  been  decided  to  try  Miss  Hunsinger 
if  she  could  be  got.  Mr.  Keith  went  in  search 
of  her  shortly  after  breakfast,  and  within  an 
hour  she  was  duly  installed  into  office. 

She  was  a  tall,  strong  woman  with  a  large 
proportion  of  bone  and  muscle ;  ditto  of  self- 
conceit  and  impudence  united  to  uncommon 
energy  and  decision,  and  a  faculty  of  turning  off 
a  great  amount  of  work ;  doing  it  thoroughly 
well  too. 

At  first  she  seemed  a  great  improvement 
upon  Viny,  and  Mildred's  heart  rejoiced  in  a 
complete  sweeping,  dusting  and  setting  to  rights 
of  the  whole  house. 

The  children  had  been  sent  out  to  play  in 
the  shade  of  the  sapling  grove,  while  Mrs.  Keith 
superintended  the  operations  of  the  new  help, 
and  Miss  Stanhope  and  Mildred,  in  the  parlor, 
busied  themselves,  the  one  with  the  week'i 


MILDRED  KEITH.  151 

mending  for  the  family,  the  other  over  hei 
sometime  neglected  studies. 

"  She's  a  real  new  broom — is  my  Celestte 
Ann,"  said  Mrs.  Keith,  coming  cheerily  in, 
"  leaves  no  dirty  corners  or  cobwebs,  no  wrinkles 
in  sheets  or  spreads." 

"  O,  mother,  what  a  blessing  ?"  cried  Mil- 
dred, "  if  she'll  only  stay  so." 

"  Ah,  there's  the  rub  !  she  cannot  be  a  rose 
without  a  thorn.  What  was  it  Rhoda  Jane 
said  of  her,  Aunt  Wealthy  ?" 

The  old  lady  reflected  a  moment  ere  she 
iinswered. 

"  Large  potatoes,  I  think  it  was,  Marcia ; 
and  I  understood  it  to  mean  that  she  was  a  good 
worker.  Something  also  that  gave  me  the  im- 
pression that  she  might  be  high-tern] >ered  and 
saucy.  But  as  you  say,  we  cannot  expect 
thorns  without  roses." 

"  She's  getting  dinner  now,"  remarked  Mrs 
Keith,  "  and  seems  to  feel  as  much  at  home 
there  as  about  her  other  work.  I've  told  her 
what  to  get,  and  showed  her  where  everything- 
is ;  and  now  I  shall  leave  her  to  her  own  de- 
vices ;  and  see  what  will  be  the  result." 

Half  an  hour  later  the  door  of  the  parlor, 
where  now  the  whole  family  were  gathered,  WM 
thrown  open  with  the  announcement, 


158  MILDRED  KEITH. 

"  Dinner's  ready  ;  all  on  the  table  hero." 

Having  given  the  summons  MissHunsingei 
rushed  back  to  the  table  in  advance  of  the 
family,  seated  herself,  spread  out  her  elbows 
npon  it  and  with  a  nonchalant  air  said,  "  Come, 
folks,  it's  all  ready  ;  set  right  up." 

There  was  a  rapid  exchange  of  glances 
among  the  party  addressed,  but  not  a  word  of 
remonstrance  or  disapproval  was  uttered. 
Physically  unequal  to  the  work  that  must  be 
done,  they  were  helpless  in  the  hands  of  their 
"help/' 

The  meal  was  begun  in  a  profound  silence 
•which  she  was  the  first  to  break. 

"  Ther's  some  hot  biscuits  out  thar,"  with  a 
ierk  of  the  head  toward  the  kitchen  door. 

"  You  may  bring  some  in,"  said  Mrs 
Keith. 

"  Just  let  one  o'  your  gals  do  it  this  time,  1 
will  next.  Turn  about  fair  play  you  know." 

Mildred's  eyes  flashed,  and  she  opened  her 
lips  to  speak ;  then  closed  them  firmly  as  she 
thought  of  the  consequences  to  her  mother  and 
aunt  should  this  girl  be  sent  away  before  she 
was  able  to  take  up  even  a  part  of  the  burdec 
of  the  work. 

"I'll  go,  mother,"  eaid  Zillah,  hastily  leav- 
ing her  place,  I  don't  mind  it ;  but  if  I  wero 


MILDRED   KBITH.  15$ 

paid   for  doing  it,  I  would  want  to  earn  my 
money  by  doing  it  myself." 

"  Well,  my  dear,  what  do  you  .Link  of  youj 
new  help?"  queried  Mr.  Keith,  mischievously 
when  they  had  withdrawn  to  the  privacy  oi 
the  parlor. 

"  The  thorn  is  rather  large  and  sharp,"  she 
answered  laughing,  "  but  we  are  not  the  only 
people  in  the  world  who  must  make  a  choice  of 
evils." 

"  For  my  part,"  said  Mildred  severely,  "  1 
think  it's  a  species  of  dishonesty  to  take  pay  for 
doing  the  work  of  a  family  and  then  ask  them 
to  do  it  themselves." 

"  Aren't  you  a  trifle  too  hard  on  her,  dear  ?" 
said  Miss  Stanhope.  "  It  was  very  forward  and 
impertinent,  but  I  think  hardly  dishonest,  be- 
cause she  is  not  expected  to  do  quite  all  the 
work  of  the  family." 

"  Here  comes  Etninaretta  Lightcap,"  said 
Ada,  who  was  standing  in  the  open  doorway. 
"  She  has  n  an  old  faded  calico  dress,  and 
siinbonnet  and  bare  feet,  just  as  usual ;  and  » 
tin  pan  in  her  hands." 

"  Come  in,  Emmaretta." 

Tho  little  girl  stepped  over  the  threshold^ 
and  approaching  Mrs.  Keith  said, 

*'  Here's  more   tomats  mother   sent   you 


160  MILDRED   KEITH. 

and  a  bird  for  her,"  pointing  to  Mildred, 
"  Gote  he's  been  out  shootin'  and  he  sent  it  to 
her." 

"  He's  very  kind,  take  him  my  thanks  for 
it,"  said  Mildred,  coloring,  and  vexed  with  her- 
self for  doing  so.  "  Please  tell  your  sister,  too, 
that  I  thank  her  for  the  tomatoes  and  that  I 
liked  them  very  much." 

"  Are  you  a  comin'  to  our  school  ?  cause 
Miss  Damaris,  she  said  you  was,"  said  the  child, 
turning  to  Ada,  while  waiting  for  her  pan, 
which  Zillah  had  carried  away  to  empty  it. 

"  No  !  no,  indeed  1"  cried  Ada ;  "  I  don't 
like  her,  and  wouldn't  go  there  for  anything  !" 

"  Hush,  hush,  Ada !  you  don't  know  Miss 
Drybread,"  said  Mrs.  Keith,  quite  surprised  at 
the  outbreak. 

"Yes,  mother;  don't  you  remember  she 
was  here  one  day  I" 

"  Khoda  Jane,  Eht's  comin'  over  to  see  you 
this  evenin',"  said  the  little  maid,  taking  hei 
pan  and  departing. 

Mildred's  countenance  fell ;  she  appreciated 
Rhoda  Jane's  kindness;  but  could  not  enjoy 
her  society. 

"Why,  Ada,"  said  Mr.  Keith,  "I  knew 
nothing  of  your  dislike  to  Miss  Drybread ;  and 
«>  when  she  met  me  in  the  street  this  morning 


MILDRED    KEITH. 


161 


and  asked  me  to  send  her  a  scholar,  I  thought 
of  Milly's  sickness  and  that  she  must  not 
have  so  much  to  do,  and  promised  that  yon 
should  go." 

"  O  father  1"  exclaimed  the  child  beginning 
to  cry. 

Then  they  all  tried  to  comfort  her,  and 
finally  she  grew  in  a  measure  reconciled  to  her 
fate. 


irterlji 


M  'Tifl  with  our  judgments  as  our  watches,  none 
Go  just  alike,  yet  each  believes  his  own." 


•  You  hain't  returned  more'n  our  fust  call  ; 
and  then  you  didn't  stay  but  ten  minutes," 
Rhoda  Jane  said  in  a  half-offended  tone,  to 
Mildred,  "  And  we're  such  near  neighbors  too  ; 
we'd  ought  to  be  real  sociable." 

Mildred  apologized  by  stating  the  fact  that 
her  time  was  very  fully  occupied. 

"  Well  you  and  Claudina  Chetwood  seems 
to  be  pretty  thick.  But  the  Chetwoods  is 
richer'n  we  are,  an'  1  s'pose  that  makes  it  easier 
to  find  time  to  visit  with  'em." 

"The  riches  don't  make  any  difference," 
said  Mildred,  flushing  ;  "  and  I've  heard  that 
the  Chetwoods  are  not  very  rich." 

"  Well,  they  hold  their  heads  high  anyway, 

"  I'm  agoin'  to  have  a  rag  carpet  party 
pretty  soon,  and  give  you  an  invite,  and  if  you 
don't  come  I'll  be  so  mad  I  won't  never  conic 
oear  you  again." 


MILDRED   KEITH.  16& 

"  Perhaps  I  may  be  sick,"  sighed  Mildred, 
half  hoping  ID  her  secret  heart  that  so  it  might 
fall  out. 

"  Oh,  then  of  course  I  couldn't  be  inad ;  but 
I'll  try  to  lix  it  when  you're  well." 

"  When  is  it  to  be  ?  and  what  is  it  like  1" 

"  Soon's  mother  and  me  gits  the  rags  all 
cut ;  'bout  a  week  from  now,  I  reckon.  Why 
a  passel  o'  girls  gits  together  and  sews  the  rags 
and  winds  'em  up  into  balls,  and  after  awhile  the 
boys  come  in  and  then  we  have  lots  o'  fun  and 
good  things  to  eat.  Now  I  must  run  home. 
Good-bye,  mind  you're  to  be  sure  to  come." 

This  was  Friday.  On  the  ensuing  Monday 
morning  little  Ada  set  out  sorrowfully  for  Mis8 
Dry  bread's  school,  in  company  with  Emmar- 
etta  and  Minerva  Lightcap. 

Mildred  was  alone  in  the  parlor  when  the 
child  came  back  at  noon. 

"  Well,  pussy,  how  did  you  like  it  ?"  she 
asked  with  a  sympathetic  smile. 

"  Not  at  all.  O  Mildred,  she  isn't  a  lady 
or  a  Christian ;  for  she  deceives ;  she  acts  lies  ; 
ehe  made  a  naughty  girl  believe  she  was  goiiii| 
to  roast  her  to  death.  There's  a  stove  and  .» 
big  oven  in  it ;  and  she  said  she  was  going  to 
put  her  in  there  and  build  up  a  hot  tire  a^<* 
cook  her." 


164  MILDRED   KEITH. 

"Did  the  girl  believe  it?" 

"  Yes ;  she  was  dreadfully  frightened ;  she 
screamed  like  everything  and  promised  that 
ndeed,  and  indeed  she'd  be  good  ;  and  Misi 
Drybread  let  her  go  to  her  seat." 

"  That  was  acting  a  lie  and  telling  one  too ; 
and  anybody  who  would  do  so,  is  unfit  to  have 
the  care  of  children,"  said  Mildred.  "  I  shall 
tell  lather  and  mother  about  it,  and  I'm  very 
eure  they  won't  send  you  any  longer  than  this 
one  quarter  anyhow." 

"Mildred,  she  doesn't  look  like  a  lady 
either;  she  doesn't  wear  anything  white  round 
her  neck ;  just  a  pink  calico  cape  and  an  apron 
of  the  same,  and  another  kind  of  calico  dress." 

"No  matter  about  that  if  she  only  acted 
and  talked  right.  She's  neat  and  clean,  I  sup- 


"  Yes ;  I  didn't  see  any  soil  on  her  clothes." 
"  "Well,  learn  your  lessons  well  and  behave 
nicely,  so  that  she  can't  find  any  excuse  for  ill 
treating  you." 

Mildred  looked  upon  the  expected  carpel 
rag  party  with  nearly  as  great  aversion  as  Ada 
felt  for  her  new  school,  but  was  a  good  deal 
relieved  on  learning  from  Claudhia  Chetwood 
that  she,  too,  had  been  notified  of  its  approach 
and  expected  to  attend 


MILDRED   KEITH.  165 

44  J  didn't  know  that  you  visited  the  Light- 
caps,"  said  Mildred. 

"  Oh,  yes ;  they  are  not  cultivated  people, 
or  very  refined ;  but  they're  clever  folks  and 
kind  neighbors ;  especially  in  times  jf  sickness ; 
and  would  feel  dreadfully  hurt  if  one  should 
decline  their  invitations.  They're  not  the  sort 
of  people  we  exchange  formal  calls  with ;  in- 
deed they  never  make  them ;  but,  as  mother 
says,  while  society  here  is  in  the  crude  state 
it  is  now,  it  will  not  do  to  insist  upon  making 
associates  of  those  only  who  are  congenial." 

"  Or  quite  belong  to  our  station  in  life  ?" 

"  Yes;  we  can  not  divide  up  into  many  cir- 
cles, and  must  be  willing  to  mix  to  some  ex- 
tent, with  all  who  can  lay  claim  to  respectabil- 
ity and  moral  worth." 

"  I'm  afraid  I'm  very  proud,"  said  Mildred 
laughing  and  blushing.  "  I've  never  been  used 
to  associating  with  any  one  so  rough  and 
uncouth,  and  it  goes  a  good  deal  against  the 
grain." 

"  Perhaps  it  isn't  exactly  pride,"  suggested 
Claudina ;  "  they  offend  your  taste ;  they  do 
mine,  I  know ;  but  surely  we  can  bear  that 
rather  than  give  them  the  pain  of  thinking  that 
we  despise  them." 

"  Yes,  indeed."  assented  Mildred  heartilv  ; 


166  MILDRED   KEITH. 

ind  from  that  moment  ceased  to  allow  herself 
to  hope  that  something  would  occur  to  give 
her  a  plausible  excuse  for  staying  away  from 
Clhoda  Jane's  merry-making. 

She  repeated  Claudina's  remarks  to  her 
mother  and  aunt  and  found  that  they  fully  ap. 
proved  of  the  sentiments  she  had  expressed. 

"  Time  was  when  I  should  have  been  very 
unwilling  to  see  you  consort  with  that  class  on 
terms  of  equality,"  said  Mrs.  Keith,  "  but  cir- 
cumstances alter  cases." 

The  invitation  came  for  Friday  afternoon 
and  evening ;  Rhoda  Jane  hailing  Rupert  aa 
he  passed  and  sending  it  through  him. 

Mildred  was  nearly  in  her  usual  health  and 
accepted  without  a  demur;  but  puzzled  to 
know  what  to  wear,  and  at  what  hour  to  go, 
went  to  Claudina  for  instruction  on  these  im- 
portant points. 

"  We  are  invited  to  work,  you  know,"  said 
Miss  Chetwood,  laughing,  "so  will  be  expected 
early  ;  we  should  not  be  later  than  one  o'clock, 
I  think,  and  as  it  is  not  very  nice  work — car- 
pet rags  being  apt  to  be  dusty — we  should  not 
wear  anything  that  will  not  wash.  I  shall  put 
on  a  calico  dress  and  carry  a  big  work  apron 
me." 
Then  I  shall  do  the  same." 


MILDRED    KEITH.  167 

"  I  wish  you  would ;  for  there  will  be  some 
girls  theie  who  haven't  the  means  to  drees  and 
would  feel  badly  if  you  or  I  outshone  them  very 
much." 

"I  can't  go  before  three,  or  half -past, 
though ;  on  account  of  having  to  recite  to  Mr, 
Lord." 

"  Never  mind ;  1  daresay  it's  just  as  well : 
for  you'll  get  quite  enough  of  both  the  work 
and  the  company." 

Following  out  the  instructions  received, 
Mildred  attired  herself  for  the  occasion  with 
the  utmost  simplicity  ;  but  could  not  lay  aside 
her  delicate  prettiness  or  a  certain  air  of  culture 
and  refinement  that  made  her  more  the  real 
lady  in  her  calico,  than  almost  any  of  her  com- 
panions  of  the  afternoon  would  have  been  in 
the  richest  silk  or  velvet. 

Just  as  she  was  ready  to  go,  Ada  came  in 
from  school,  crying  heartily. 

"  What's  the  matter  ?"  asked  Mildred,  meet- 
ing her  on  the  threshold  and  turning  back  full 
of  sympathy. 

"  I — I've  lost  my  place  in  the  spelling-cass, ' 
sobbed  the  child  "and  I  didn't  miss  a  word 
cither.  Yon  know  I  got  up  head  the  first  day,  and 
I've  kept  there  ever  since — 'way  above  all  those 
big,  big  girls,  some  of  'em  as  big  as  you,  Milly," 


168  MILDRED    KEITH. 

"  But  how  did  you  get  down  if  you  didn't 
miss  ?  was  it  for  bad  behavior  ?" 

"  No  ;  but  she  upset  the  class  and  made  ui 
&r  draw  lots  for  our  places,  and  the  one  I  drew 
made  my  place  next  to  the  foot." 

"  Mother,  do  you  hear  that  ?"  asked  Mil- 
dred,  hotly  ;  for  anything  like  abuse  or  unjusl 
treatment  of  her  little  brothers  or  sisters  wai 
sure  to  rouse  her  ire. 

"  Yes,"  Mrs.  Keith  said, "  but  Ada,  you  like 
the  fun  of  getting  up  in  your  class,  and  you 
could  never  have  that  if  you  were  always  at  the 
head." 

This  seemed  a  new  idea  to  the  child,  and 
she  smiled  faintly  through  her  tears. 

But  the  wound  was  so  deep  it  must  bleed 
awhile,  and  the  briny  drops  fell  fast  again. 

She  was  an  uncommonly  good  speller  for  a 
child  of  her  age,  and  had  taken  great  pride  in 
keeping  her  place,  working  very  hard  to  be  aWa 
to  do  so  ;  and  this  sudden,  unexpected  downfall, 
due  to  no  failure  on  her  part,  almost  over- 
whelmed her  with  a  sense  of  loss,  humiliation 
and  injustice. 

Mildred  waited  ;  she  couldn't  bear  to  go 
»nd  leave  Ada  in  such  distress. 

"Don't  cry,"  she  said,  stroking  her  hail 
caressingly  while  the  mother  wiped  away  the 


MILDRED   KEITH.  169 

fast  flowing  tears  with  her  own  soft  white  hand- 
kerohief,  and  kissed  the  flushed  cheek,  "  don't 
cry,  you'll  soon  get  up  again." 

"  And  I  shall  write  a  note  to  Miss  Dry- 
bread,  telling  her  that  I  cannot  approve  of 
drawing  lots  to  decide  so  trivial  a  matter ;"  said 
Mrs.  Keith.  "  It  seems  to  me  very  wrong ; 
because  it  is  an  appeal  to  God.  *  The  lot  is 
cast  in  to  the  lap;  but  the  whole  disposing  there- 
of is  of  the  Lord  !'  It  might  be  well  enough  to 
turn  the  class  round  occasionally,  or  in  some 
other  way  to  give  the  poor  scholars  a  chance  to 
rise  ;  but  this  proceeding  I  so  highly  disapprove 
of  that  I  shall  not  allow  you  to  take  part  in  it 
again." 

"  I  wish  you'd  take  me  away  out  of  her 
school,  mother,  oh  do,"  pleaded  the  little  girl. 

"  You  shall  not  be  kept  there  long,"  Mrs. 
Keith  said.  "  But  Mildred,  child,"  she  added 
gayly,  "you  must  hurry  away  or  I  fear  you'll 
not  earn  your  supper." 

A  dozen  maidens,  mostly  under  twenty  years 
of  age,  were  collected  in  "  the  front  room  "  at 
Mr.  Lightcap's.  A  large  clothes  basket  filled 
with  many  colored  rags,  torn  or  cut  into  strips 
<>f  various  lengths,  occupied  a  conspicuous  place 
upon  the  floor. 

A  number  of  girls  were  grouped  about  tt 
8 


170  MILDRED   KEITH. 

and  armed  with  needles  and  thread,  scissors  and 
thimbles,  were  busily  engaged  picking  out  the 
strips,  sewing  the  ends  together  and  winding  the 
jong  strings  thus  formed,  into  balls  ;  others  had 
filled  their  laps  and  seated  themselves  here  and 
there  about  the  room. 

They  seemed  a  very  merry  company,  laugh, 
ing  and  chatting  as  they  worked. 

"  Oh,  how  d'ye  do  ?"  said  Rhoda  Jane, 
catching  sight  of  Mildred  as  she  drew  near 
the  door,  which  was  standing  open  ;  "  thought 
you  wasn't  cornin'  at  all.  Walk  right  in.  Let 
me  take  your  sunbonnet.  Here's  a  seat  for 
you  'long  side  of  Miss  Chetwood.  Guess  you're 
better  acquainted  with  her  than  any  body  else, 
without  it's  Yiny  Apple. 

"  Ladies,  this  is  Miss  Keith." 

"  I  don't  need  no  hintroduction,"  laughed 
Miss  Apple.  "  'Ope  you're  well,  Miss  Milly." 

The  others  looked  up  with  a  nod  and  a 
murmured  word  or  two,  as  Rhoda  Jane  named 
each  in  turn ;  then  they  seemed  to  take  up  the 
thread  of  their  discourse  where  it  had  been 
dropped,  while  Mildred  tied  on  her  apron,  took 
the  chair  assigned  her,  threaded  a  needle,  and 
helping  herself,  by  invitation,  from  Claudina's 
lap,  began  her  first  ball ,  at  the  same  time  ex 
plaining  that  her  lessons  had  detained  her. 


MILDRED  KEITH.  171 

K  You  must  be  goin'  to  be  dreadful  learned,' 
commented  Rhoda  Jane,  filling  Mildred's  lap 
from  the  basket,  "  I  wouldn't  be  you  for  some- 
tiling.  I  hate  books  and  always  did." 

"  Are  we  all  here  now  ?"  asked  some  one 

"  All  but  Damaris  Dry  bread.  She's  oldish 
for  the  rest  of  us,  but  she's  the  schoolma'ain, 
you  know,  and  likes  to  be  invited.  And  though 
she's  late  comin' — yonder  she  is  now — she 
works  dreadful  fast  when  she  does  get  at  it." 

Mildred  overheard  a  whisper  not  compli- 
mentary to  the  coming  woman, 

"  Pshaw !  I  wish  ehe  hadn't  been  asked^ 
She  spoils  everything ;  for  she's  as  solemn  as  a 
funeral  and  'pears  to  think  it's  a  sin  to  laugh." 

"  Yes,"  assented  another  voice,  "  that's  so  I 
and  she  never  forgets  that  she's  a  schoolma'am  ; 
but  takes  it  upon  herself  to  tell  you  your  duty 
without  waiting  to  be  invited  to." 

But  now  Miss  Drybread  was  upon  the 
threshold. 

"  Good  evening,"  she  said,  in  solemn  tone 
And  with  a  stiff  little  bow,  addressing  her  salu- 
tation to  the  company  in  general ;  then  giving 
her  sunbonnet  to  Rhoda  Jane,  she  seated  her- 
self in  her  usual  bolt  upright  manner  and  fell 
to  work. 

Her  presence  acted  as  a  damper  upon  the 


172  MILDRED   KEITH. 

spirits  jf  the  younger  portion  of  the  party.  A 
<Jead  silence  succeeded  the  merry  chatter  and 
laughter  of  a  moment  before. 

Mildred  had  cared  little  for  that  while  it 
front  on,  but  it  vexed  her  now  that  this  woman, 
for  whom,  principally  on  Ada's  account,  she 
began  to  feel  a  decided  dislike,  should  have  it  in 
her  power  thus  to  spoil  the  enjoyment  of  others ; 
and  she  determined  that  it  should  not  be. 

Raising  her  voice  that  all  might  hear,  she 
told  an  amusing  anecdote  that  set  everybody 
to  laughing  except  the  "  schoolma'am,"  whose 
increasing  solemnity  of  aspect  seemed  to  reprove 
their  levity. 

"  Oh,  that  was  first-rate !  do  tell  us  another,'* 
cried  Rhoda  Jane,  holding  her  sides.  "  I  had 
no  idea  you  could  be  so  funny." 

Mildred  went  on  with  anecdotes,  jests, 
conundrums,  Claudina  and  one  or  two  others 
-contributing  their  quota  also,  till  with  the  ruder 
ones  the  mirth  became  somewhat  boisterous. 

As  it  died   down   again,   Miss    Drybread 


"  Life,  permit  me  to  observe  to  you  all,  is 
too  serious  and  solemn  to  be  spent  in  laughing 
and  joking.  Allow  me  to  say,  Miss  Keith, 
that  I  am  astonished  that  you,  a  church  mem 
her,  should  indulge  in  such  frivolity." 


MILDRED    KEITH.  173 

1  Do  yon  think  a  Christian  should  alwayfr 
wear  a  long  face,  ma'am  ?"  asked  Mildredy 
saucily,  her  tell-tale  countenance  showing  all 
too  plainly  the  contempt  and  aversion  she  felt 
for  her  self-constituted  censor. 

4  Yes ;  I  think  that  folks  that  profess  that 
they've  got  religion  ought  to  be  grave  and 
sober,  and  let  the  world  see  that  they  don't  bo- 
long  to  it." 

"As  if  there  was  any  harm  in  innocent 
mirth !"  exclaimed  Mildred,  "  as  if  there  was 
anybody  in  the  world  with  so  good  a  right  ta 
be  glad  and  happy  as  one  who  knows  that  Jesus 
loves  him  !  '  Eejoice  in  the  Lord,  ye  righteous 
and  shout  for  joy  all  ye  that  are  upright  in  heart.' 
The  Bible  is  full  of  commands  to  God's  people 
to  rejoice,  to  be  glad,  to  sing  for  joy ;  and  the 
best  Christians  I  know  seem  to  me  the  happiest 
people  on  earth." 

"  You're  rather  young  to  set  up  your  judg- 
ment as  to  who's  the  best  Christian  and  who'? 
got  religion  and  who  hasn't,"  returned  tna 
spinster  bridling. 

"Well,  none  o'  your  long-faced,  sour-look 
ing  Christians  forme  1"  exclaimed  Rhoda  Jane, 
"I'd  never  want  to  get  religion  till  the  last 
minute,  if  I  wasn't  to  be  'lowed  to  laugh  and 
joke  no  more  " 


174  MILDRED  KEITH. 

•  1  can  not  read  the  heart,  nor  can  any 
other  human  creature,"  said  Mildred,  replying 
to  Miss  Drybread's  last  remark;  "but  Jestii 
says,  'By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them.' 
'He  that  keepeth  my  commandments  he  it  is 
that  loveth  me  ;'  and  when  you  live  with  peo- 
ple and  see  them  constantly  serving  God  with 
gladness,  walking  in  his  ways,  rejoicing  in  hia 
love,  making  the  Bible  always  their  rule  of 
faith  and  practice,  showing  far  more  solicitude 
about  heavenly  than  about  earthly  things,  both 
for  themselves  and  their  children,  I  think  you 
may  be  very  sure  they  are  real  Christians." 

"  I  think  so  too  1"  sai<?  Claudina  emphati- 
cally. 

"So  do  I,"  "and  I,"  chimed  in  several 
other  voices,  "but  do  you  know  any  such 
folks?" 

"  I  have  been  describing  my  father  and 
Mother,"  Mildred  said.  "  And  my  dear  Aunt 
Wealthy  too." 

"That's  a  fact,"  spoke  up  Yiny.  "Yon 
'ave  to  live  with  folka  to  find  'em  out,  and  I've 
lived  there  and  I  never  seen  better  Christians ; 
they  don't  keep  their  religion  for  Sundays,  but 
Mr.  Keith  *e  reads  in  the  good  book  hevery 
night  and  mornin'  and  prays  just  like  a  minis- 
ter-- honly  not  so  long — and  they  sing  'ymna. 


MILDRED  KEITH  175s 

And  1  never  'card  a  cross  word  pass  between 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keith — or  Mrs.  Stan'ope  neither, 
and  they  never  threaten  the  children  tbey'i) 
do  something  hawful  like  breakin'  their  boia* 
orskinnin'  of  em  alive,  has  some  folks  does ;  but* 
jnst  speaks  to  'em  quiet  like,  sayin'  exactly  w  hat 
ti  ey  mean  :  and  they're  always  minded  too/' 


er  Jwrtentft. 


"Jest  and  youthful  jollity, 
Quips  and  cranks  and  wanton  wiles, 
Nods  aud  becks  and  wreathed  smiles.' 


"  THERE  had  better  be  less  talk,  if  these 
rags  are  all  to  be  sewed  to-day,"  remarked  Miss 
Drybread,  taking  a  fresh  supply  from  the  bas- 
ket, then  straightening  herself  till  she  was,  if 
possible,  more  erect  than  before. 

"  I  can  talk  and  work  too ;  my  needle  haint 
stopped  because  my  tongue  was  runnin',"  re- 
torted Viny  ;  "  and  it  strikes  me  you've  been 
<3oin'  your  share  as  well's  the  rest." 

"  My  second  ball's  done,"  said  Claudiua, 
tossing  it  up. 

"A  good  big  one  too,  and  wound  real 
tight,"  said  Rhoda  Jaue  taking  it,  giving  it  n 
squeeze,  then  rolling  it  into  a  corner  wherv 
quite  a  pile  had  collected. 

"  How  quick  you  are,  Claudina,"  said  Mil- 
dred. 

"  Not  so  very ;  I've  been  at  it  quite  a  good 


MILDRED   KEITH  W 

while.  Some  folks  can  pretty  nearly  make  two 
to  my  one."  And  she  glanced  toward  Miss  Dry- 
bread  who  was  jnst  beginning  to  wind  her 
second. 

"But  'tain't  everybody  that  winds  era  ae 
good  and  solid  as  you  do,  Claudina,"  said  an- 
other girl  significantly ;  "  windin'  loose  can 
make  a  ball  grow  fast,  I  tell  you  I" 

"  All  is  not  gold  that  glitters,'"  quoted 
Mildred. 

"  I'd  begin  to  wind  if  I  were  you,"  said 
Claudina,  "  you  have  quite  a  pile  there  and  it 
might  get  into  a  tangle." 

"Thank  you.  I'm  new  to  the  business," 
said  Mildred  laughing,  "  and  shall  take  the. 
advice  of  an  older  hand." 

"Supper's  ready,"  announced  Minerva, 
opening  the  kitchen  door. 

"  Put  down  your  rags  and  walk  right  out, 
ladies,"  said  Rhoda  Jane. 

"  It  seems  to  me  that  I,  for  one,  need  some 
preparation,"  said  Mildred,  dropping  hers  and 
looking  at  her  hands. 

"  Oh  yes,  we'll  wash  out  here,"  said  Rhuda 
Jane,  leading  the  way. 

A  tin  bucket  full  of  water,  a  dipper  and 
washbasin,  all  bright  from  a  recent  scouring, 
stood  on  a  bench  in  the  shed  at  the  onto? 
8* 


178  MILDRED  KEITH. 

kitchen  door;  a  piece  of  brown  soap  lay  there 
also,  and  a  clean  crash  towel  hung  on  a  nail  in 
the  wall  close  by. 

The  girls  used  these  in  turn,  laughing  and 
chatting  merrily  the  while,  then  gathered  abcut 
the  table,  which  was  bountifully  spread  with 
good  plain  country  fare — chicken,  ham,  dried 
beef,  pickles,  tomatoes,  cucumbers  and  radishes, 
cheese,  eggs,  pie,  cake  and  preserves,  in  several 
varieties,  hot  cakes  and  cold  bread,  tea  and 
coffee. 

None  of  the  family  partook  with  their 
guests  except  Rhoda  Jane ;  they  would  eat  af- 
terwards ;  and  Mrs.  Lightcap  busied  herself  now 
in  waiting  upon  the  table ;  filling  the  tea  and 
coffee  cups  in  the  shed  where  the  cooking  stove 
stood  during  the  months  of  the  year  when  its 
heat  was  objectionable  in  the  house. 

u  I  don't  know  as  we've  earned  our  supper, 
Mis'  Lightcap,"  remarked  one  of  the  girls, 
stirring  her  tea ;  "  we  hain't  begun  to  git  all 
them  rags  sewed  up  yet." 

"  Well,  then,  I'll  just  set  you  to  work  again 
as  soon  as  you're  done  eatin';  that'll  do  just  as 
well ;  folks  don't  always  pay  in  advance,  you 
know." 

"  And  if  we  don't  get  through  'fore  the  boy* 
<orae  we'll  make  them  help,"  said  Rhoda  Jane 


MILDRED   KEITH.  119 

"What  boys?"  queried  Mildred;  whereat 
several  of  the  girls  giggled. 

"  Why  the  fellows,  of  course,"  laughed  Misa 
laghtcap;  "the  boys  is  what  we  mostly  call 
'em  ;  though  some  of  'em's  pretty  old,  I  should 
judge,  for  that." 

"  Yes,  there's  Kocap  Stubblefield,  must  be 
thirty  at  least,"  said  one. 

"And  Nick  Ransquattle's  twenty-five  if 
he's  a  day,"  remarked  another. 

"  Well,  the  rest's  young  enough,"  said  Mrs. 
Lightcap.  "  Pass  that  cake  there,  Ehoda  Jane. 
There's  my  Ghotobed  just  turned  twenty-one, 
and  York  Mocker,  and  Wallace  Ormsby,  and 
Claudina's  brother  Will's  all  younger  by  some 
months  or  a  year  or  so." 

The  meal  concluded,  the  work  went  on 
quite  briskly  again,  Mildred  catching  now  and 
then  a  whispered  word  or  two  about  the  desira- 
bleness of  getting  through  with  it  in  time  to 
have  some  fun  ;  but  the  raw  material  for  sev- 
eral  more  balls  still  remained  in  the  basket 
when  "  the  boys  "  began  to  come. 

Gotobed   was  naturally   among   the    first 
He  was  quite  "  slicked  up,"  as  Rhoda  Jan 
elegantly  expressed  it,  though  his  toilet  had 
been  made  under  difficulties. 

The  only  legitimate  way  of  reaching  the 


180  MILDRED   KEITH. 

second  story  and  his  Sunday  clothes,  wae  by  * 
stairway  leading  up  from  the  front  room,  where 
the  girls  were. 

The  windows  of  his  bedroom,  however, 
ooked  out  upon  the  leanto  which  formed  the 
kitchen  part  of  the  building  and  whose  roof 
was  not  many  feet  higher  than  that  of  the 
shed. 

Watching  his  opportunity  for  doing  so  un- 
seen, he  climbed  upon  the  shed,  gained  the  roof 
of  the  leanto,  and  entered  his  room  by  the 
window. 

There  was  nothing  of  the  dandy  about  the 
honest  fellow,  yet  somehow  dressing  was  a  slow 
business  with  him  to-night ;  he  stood  before  a 
little  square  of  looking-glass  hanging  on  the 
wall,  tying  and  retying  his  cravat  till  it  was  too 
dark  to  see,  then  giving  up  in  sheer  despair 
went  down  over  the  roof  as  he  had  come,  and 
sought  his  mother,  who,  with  the  help  of  Em- 
maretta  and  Minerva,  was  washing  dishes  in 
the  kitchen. 

"  My  land  1"  she  exclaimed,  as  he  came  in, 
1  what  a  time  you've  been  up  there.  I  never 
tan  wed  you  to  take  half  as  long  to  dress  afore.' 

"My  fingers  are  all  thumbs,"  he  said,  a  hot 
flush  overspreading  his  sunburnt  face,  "  I  can't 
tie  this  decent  nohow  at  all." 


MILDRED   KEJ.TB.  181 

"  "Well,  just  wait  till  I  can  wipe  my  hands, 
and  I'll  do  it.  There,  that'll  do ;  the  girls  ain't 
agoin*  to  look  partickler  hard  at  that  bit  o 
black  ribbing." 

"  Maybe  not,  but  I'm  obleeged  to  you  all 
the  same  for  fixin'  it  right.  Is  it  time  to  go 
in?" 

"  Of  course,  if  you  want  to." 

He  passed  out  at  the  back  door  and  through 
the  yard  into  the  street.  He  was  bashful  and 
did  not  like  to  face  such  a  bevy  of  girls  alone ; 
at  the  thought  of  addressing  one  of  their  num- 
ber in  especial — Mildred  Keith — he  felt  him- 
self grow  hot  and  uncomfortable.  He  had  been 
admiring  her  from  a  distance  all  these  weeks, 
but  had  never  met  her,  and  much  as  he  de- 
sired an  acquaintance,  his  courage  seemed 
hardly  equal  to  seeking  it  now. 

How  rough  and  boorish,  how  awkward  and 
ill-bred  he  would  appear  to  one  so  delicate  and 
refined. 

He  waited  about  a  little,  till  joined  by  a 
fellow  mechanic,  Nicholas  Kansqnattle,  when 
they  went  in  together. 

This  was  a  wiser  step  than  Gotobed  knew ; 
for  his  well-made,  stalwart  figure  showed  to 
good  advantage  beside  that  of  Nicholas,  who 
was  short  and  thick-set,  had  scarcely  any  neck, 


182  MILDRED   KBITS. 

moved  like  a  wooden  man,  and  carried  his  head 
thrown  back  on  his  shoulders ;  he  had  a  wooden 
face,  too ;  large  featured  and  stolid  in  expre*. 
ebn. 

But  he  was  not  troubled  with  bashfulness. 
or  any  fear  that  his  society  would  be  other  than 
most  acceptable  to  any  one  upon  whom  he 
might  see  fit  to  bestow  it. 

"  Good  evening,  ladies  ;  I'm  happy  to  meet 
you  all,"  he  said,  making  a  sweeping  bow  to 
the  company  as  he  entered,  hat  in  hand. 
'*  And  I  hope  I  see  you  well." 

"  Good  evening,"  responded  several  voices. 
*  Good-evening,  Mr.  Lightcap." 

"  Find  yourselves  Beats  and  we'll  give  you 
employment,  threading  our  needles  for  us." 

Rhoda  Jane  was  snuffing  the  candles. 
Hastily  laying  down  her  snuffers,  she  introduced 
the  young  men  to  Mildred,  and  dexterously 
managed  to  seat  Kansquattle  on  the  farther  side 
of  the  room,  leaving  the  field  clear  for  her 
brother ;  for  an  empty  chair  stood  invitingly  at 
Miss  Keith's  side. 

Gotobed  took  it,  and,  almost  wondering  at 
,bii  own  audacity,  addressed  his  divinity  with  a 
mark  upon  the  weather — that  never-failing 
ource  when  all  other  topics  elude  us. 

She  answered  with  gracious  sweetness, 


MILDRED   KEITH.  183 

"  Yes  it  has  been  a  lovely  day,  Mr.  Light- 
cap." 

What  should  he  say  next. 

"  I — I  guess  you  never  sewed  carpet  ragg 
ifore  ?" 

"  IB  it  my  awkwardness  at  the  business  that 
makes  you  think  so  ?"  she  returned,  with  a 
quizzical  look  and  smile,  as  she  lifted  her  fine 
eyes  to  his  face. 

"  No,  no,  no  sirree  1  ma'am,  I  mean,"  he 
stammered  growing  red  and  hot ;  "you  do  it 
beautiful !" 

"  Let  me  give  you  some  work,"  she  said, 
taking  pity  on  his  embarrassment ;  "  will  you 
thread  this  needle  for  me  ?" 

"  And  then  mine,  please,"  put  in  Claudina, 
who  was  again  seated  near  her  friend ;  then  to 
ais  further  relief  she  launched  out  into  a  rem- 
iniscence of  a  candy  pulling  they  had  both  at- 
tended  the  year  before. 

Others  of  "  the  boys  "  came  flocking  in,  the 
work  was  speedily  finished,  there  was  some  toss- 
ing back  and  forth  of  the  balls,  amid  rather  up- 
roarious laughtoi  ;  but  some  of  them  unwound 
and  became  entangled ;  and  so  that  sport  wa§ 
given  up  ;  the  girls  washed  their  hands  as  b& 
fore  supper ;  Blindnian's  Buff,  Puss  in  the  Cor- 
ner and  other  games  were  played  with  as  much 


184  MILDRED   KEITH. 

zest  as  if  the  players  had  been  a  parcel  of  chil- 
dren ;  then  refreshments  followed,  served  up  in 
the  kitchen ;  huckleberries  with  cream  and 
sugar,  watermelons,  and  muskmelons,  dough- 
nuts and  cup  cake. 

At  eleven  o'clock  the  party  broke  up  and  the 
young  men  saw  the  girls  safely  home,  Gotobed 
being  so  fortunate  as  to  secure  the  privilege  of 
waiting  upon  Mildred  to  her  father's  door. 

She  would,  perhaps,  have  slightly  preferred 
the  attentions  of  Yorke  Mocker,  or  Wallace 
Ormsby ;  both  of  whom  she  had  met  before  and 
who  were  young  men  of  much  better  education 
and  much  more  polish  and  refinement  than 
poor  Gotobed. 

It  was  Mrs.  Keith  who  admitted  her  daugh- 
ter ;  every  one  else  in  the  house  having  retired. 

"  Had  you  a  pleasant  time  ?"  she  asked, 
with  a  motherly  smile. 

"  I  heard  some  of  the  others,  as  they  went 
away,  saying  it  had  been  perfectly  splendid," 
Mildred  answered  with  an  amused  little  laugh, 
"  but  the  fun  was  of  rather  too  rough  a  sort  for 
me." 

"  Games  ?" 

"  Yes,  ma'am ;  and  I  took  part  nntil  they 
began  kissing  ;  when  I  retired  to  the  ranks  ol 
the  spectators.' 


MILDRED   KEITH. 


185 


"  That  was  right,"  Mrs.  Keith  said  emphati- 
cally. 

"  And  what  do  you  think,  mother  I"  laughed 
Mildred.  "  Viny  Apple  was  one  of  the  guestg. 
The  idea  of  being  invited  out  to  meet  your  ci- 
devant  housemaid  and  cook !  isn't  it  too  funny  V 

"  Well,  dear,  let  us  be  thankful  that  Celes- 
t'  Ann  was  not  invited  also ;  leaving  me  to 
get  tea  to-night,"  Mrs.  Keith  said,  joining  in 
the  laugh. 


Chapter  Jfiftetjn 


**  The  knight,  perusing  this  epistle, 
Believ'd  h'  had  hrought  her  to  his  whistle. 
And  read  it  like  a  jocund  lover, 
With  great  applause  t'  himself  twice  over. 

— BUTLKB'S  HUDIBRAS. 

RHODA  JANE  liad  set  the  ball  in  motion  and 
for  several  weeks  similar  festivities  were  much 
in  vogue  among  the  young  people  of  Pleasant 
Plains.  There  were  other  rag  carpet  bees, 
some  quilting,  berrying  and  nutting  parties, 
boatings  on  the  river,  "  buggy  rides,"  and  rides 
on  horseback. 

Then  as  the  days  grew  short  and  the  even- 
ings long,  a  singing  school  was  started.  It  met 
once  a  week  at  Damans  Dry  bread's  schoolroom, 
was  largely  attended  by  the  youth  of  both 
sexes,  quite  as  much  for  the  sport  to  be  got  out 
uf  it  as  for  the  improvement  of  their  vocal 
powers. 

Each  carried  thither  a  note  book  and  a 
tallow  candle,  and  at  the  end  of  the  term  paid 


MILDRED    KEITH.  187 

his  or  her  proportion  of  the  salary  of  the  teacher 
—one  Timothy  Buzzard,  from  a  neighboring 
town. 

Not  the  fittest  name  in  the  world  for  a  sing, 
ing  teacher,  people  said  ;  but  then  he  couldn't 
help  that,  and  soon  proved  himself  competent 
for  what  he  had  undertaken  ;  for  imparting  in- 
struction at  least ; — as  to  keeping  order  among 
his  pupils,  some  of  whom  were  years  older  than 
himself — that  he  found  was  quite  another  thing. 
Of  course  there  was  often  a  good  deal  of  mis- 
behavior on  the  part  of  silly,  giggling  girls  and 
tittering  lads  which  tried  his  patience,  occa- 
sionally even  beyond  endurance. 

Mildred,  Claudina  and  their  friend  Lucilla 
Grange  were  not  of  these  ;  but  invariably  con- 
ducted themselves  in  a  ladylike  manner  which 
won  the  admiration  and  gratitude  of  the  some- 
times sorely  tried  teacher,  and  gave  him  a  pow- 
erful motive  to  self  control,  in  the  natural  desire 
to  win  their  respect  and  esteem. 

These  three  girls  were  the  belles  of  the 
town ;  Timothy  was  an  unmarried  man,  and 
when  he  seemed  to  pay  court  in  a  manner,  to 
:>ne  or  another  of  them,  several  of  the  young 
men  were  inclined  to  grow  wrathy  over  it,  and 
to  feel  th*s  their  rights  were  invaded. 

Will  Chetwood,  Yorke  Mocker,  and 


188  MILDRED  KEITH. 

lace  Ormsby  had  become  frequent  visitors  &\ 
Mr.  Keith's ;  though,  perhaps  not  more  so  in 
the  case  of  the  latter  two,  than  at  the  homes  of 
Mildred's  two  intimate  girl  friends;  the  six 
formed  a  coterie  of  their  own  and  were  gener- 
ally seen  together  at  the  merry-makings  ;  pair- 
ing off  now  in  one  way  now  in  another. 

Gotobed  Lightcap  would  now  and  then 
pluck  up  courage  to  step  in  upon  Mildred  of  an 
evening,  and  was  invariably  treated  politely  and 
kindly,  though  not  in  a  way  to  give  undue  en- 
couragement. 

He  had  an  instinctive  understanding  of  that, 
attributed  it  in  a  great  measure,  to  his  own 
awkward,  ungainly  ways,  and  looked  with  envy 
upon  those  whose  better  education  and  moro 
polished  manners  made  them  more  acceptable 
companions. 

Nicholas  Ransquattle  was  not  one  of  that 
number,  yet  esteemed  himself  such,  and  an- 
noyed our  heroine  not  a  little  by  his  unwel- 
come attentions. 

They  were  declined  whenever  it  could  be 
done  without  positive  rudeness,  but  vanity  and 
eelf-conceit  are  often  very  blind. 

Nicholas  was  quite  a  reader  for  a  man  of  hie 
station  and  limited  opportunities;  his  family 
were  proud  of  his  attainments ;  he  even  more 


MILDRED  KEITH.  189 

so  ;  he  was  given  to  displaying  them  on  all  pos- 
sible occasions ;  often  wasting  a  great  deal  of 
breath  in  the  charitable  effort  to  enlighten  the 
ignorance  of  his  whilom  associates. 

He  would  call  at  Mr.  Keith's  early  in  the 
evening,  and  if  occasion  offered,  talk  to  Mildred 
by  the  hour  of  his  "  abstruse  studies  "  and  the 
.fighter  literature  with  which  he  found  it  neces- 
sary to  "  unbend  his  mind  from  them,"  till  she 
voted  him  an  intolerable  bore,  and  he  became 
the  laughing  stock  of  her  younger  brothers  and 
sisters,  who  found  his  clumsy,  lumbering  move- 
ments, self-conceit,  and  egotistical  discourse  so 
mirth-provoking  that  they  learned  to  be  on  the 
lookout  for  him  and  to  find  excuses  for  remain- 
ing in  the  room  while  he  staid ;  in  which  last 
endeavor  they  received  every  encouragement 
from  Mildred. 

Meanwhile  so  blinded  by  egotism  was  tho 
man,  that  he  supposed  himself  an  olject  of  great 
admiration  to  them,  and  had  little,  if  any  doubt, 
tnat  the  whole  family  were  ready  to  receive  him 
with  open  arms  whenever  he  should  make  for- 
mal proposals  for  Mildred's  hand. 

He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade ;  had  a  little 
shop  in  the  principal  business  street  of  the  town, 
just  opposite  the  store  of  Chetwood  and  Mocker, 
-  -Claudina's  brother  and  cousin. 


190  MILDRED  KEITH. 

Mr.  Keith  had  opened  an  office  next  door  te 
them  and  Wallace  Ormsby  was  diligently  study 
ing  law  with  him. 

Nicholas  with  a  soul  above  his  last,  some- 
times  envied  Wallace  the  prospective  distinc- 
tion of  being  a  member  of  one  of  the  learned 
professions,  and  while  busied  with  his  waxed 
ends  and  awl,  considered  the  propriety  of  offer- 
ing himself  to  Mr.  Keith  as  a  student  and  son- 
in-law  both  in  one. 

He  finally  decided  that  the  proposal  to 
Mildred  should  be  made  first,  the  other  to  fol- 
low immediately  upon  her  joyful  acceptance. 

Winter  had  come  in  earnest ;  the  ground 
had  frozen  hard  and  a  heavy  fall  of  snow  upon 
this  good  foundation  had  made  excellent  sleigh- 
ing ;  the  young  folk  were  jubilant  over  it,  and 
more  than  one  plan  for  its  enjoyment  h<td  been 
set  afloat. 

"  Mornin',  Nick,  see  here,  I  want  you  to 
make  me  a  pair  o'  new  boots ;  put  your  very 
best  work  on  to  'em,"  said  Gotobed  Lightcap, 
entering  Eansquattle's  shop  after  a  moment's 
vigorous  kicking  and  stamping  of  the  encw 
from  his  feet  upon  the  doorstep. 

"  All  right,  Gote.  Sit  down  and  oflT  with 
your  boot,"  returned  Nicholas,  putting  down 
his  last  and  taking  up  his  measures. 


MILDRED   KEITH.  191 

"  Let  me  have  ?em  as  soon  as  you  can,"  said 
Gotobed.  "And  be  sure  to  make  'em  a  neat 
fit,"  he  added,  laughing,  "  else  they'll,  maybe 
be  throwed  back  on  your  hands." 

"  They'll  give  satisfaction,  you  may  depend, ' 
returned  Ransquattle,  straightening  himself 
and  throwing  his  head  back  on  his  shoulders 
in  his  accustomed  fashion ;  "  whatever  I  un 
dertake  is  always  done  in  the  best  style." 

"  Eh !  I  hadn't  noticed  that,"  said  Goto- 
bed,  innocently.  "  You're  goin'  to  the  sleigh- 
in'  to-morrow  night,  I  s'pose  ?" 

"Yes;  and  I  calculate  to  take  Mildred 
Keith." 

"  You  do  1"  Lightcap  ejaculated  in  tones  of 
mingled  anger  and  inquiry,  his  brows  knitting 
wrathfully,  a  hot  flush  dyeing  his  swarthy 
cheek.  "Have  you  asked  her?  got  her  con- 
sent?" 

"Her?  what  her?  may  I  ask?"  queried 
Yorke  Mocker,  coming  in  as  Gotobed's  question 
was  propounded,  "Wallace  Ormsby  close  at  hia 
heels. 

"  No,  I  haven't  asked  her  yet,  but  I  shall  in 
the  course  of  the  day ;  and  now  I  warn  you 
fellows  that  she's  my  choice  and  you  may 
each  pick  out  some  other  girl  to  take  to  the 
aleighing." 


192  MILDRED   KEITH. 

"In  leed  !  and  may  I  ask  how  you  came  by 
the  right  to  the  first  pick  ?" 

"  I've  as  much  right  to  Mildred  Keith  ai 
anybody  else,  Mr.  Mocker;  more,  I  should 
say ;  for  I'm  going  to  marry  her." 

There  was  a  simultaneous  explosion  of  a& 
tonishment  and  indignation  at  his  presump- 
tion, from  Mocker  and  Ormsby,  while  Lightcap, 
thinking  no  one  would  dare  speak  with  such 
confident  boasting  who  had  not  received  great 
encouragement,  turned  pale,  then  flushed  again 
as  he  picked  up  and  drew  on  the  boot  he  had 
just  taken  off. 

"  I  admire  the  modesty  of  the  man,"  re- 
marked Ormsby  with  cutting  sarcasm.  "I 
presume  you  will  find  the  young  lady  ready  to 
drop  into  your  arms  at  the  fiivc  hint  of  your 
intentions." 

"  Of  course,  since  it  must  be  evident  to  her 
that  she  couldn't  possibly  do  any  better," 
sneered  Yorke.  "  Pray,  when  did  you  learn 
that  you  were  such  a  favorite  ?" 

"  I  flatter  myself  that  I  do  not  lack  discern- 
ment," returned  Ransquattle,  with  unmoved 
self-complaisance,  as  he  entered  his  measure- 
ments in  his  book,  then  used  his  coat-tail  as  a 
pen- wiper  u  Anything  I  can  do  for  you  thif 
morning,  gentlemen  ?" 


MILDRED   KEITH.  19& 

"  No,"  growled  Ormsby,  "  but  there's  some- 
thing I  can  do  for  you ;  namely,  save  you  the 
trouble  of  asking  Miss  Keith  to  go  with  you 
tc-morrow  night  by  informing  you  that  she 
has  already  consented  to  allow  me  to  be  her 
escort." 

"  Is  that  so  ?"  exclaimed  Ransquattle,  red- 
dening with  anger  and  disappointment.  "  Well, 
I  must  say  I  think  it's  very  unfair ;  the  way 
you  fellows  always  get  ahead  of  the  rest  of  ns." 

"  So  do  I,"  said  Gotobed,  leaving  the  shop 
and  walking  away  in  moody  discontent;  too 
much  chagrined  at  learning  that  he  had  no 
chance,  to  enjoy  the  discomfiture  of  Nicholas. 

"  There  has  been  no  unfair  dealing  about 
it,"  retorted  Ormsby,  shortly,  as  he  and  Mocker 
followed  Gotobed  into  the  street;  in  their 
anger  and  excitement  quite  forgetting  the  er- 
rand that  had  brought  them  to  Eansquattle's 
shop,  viz.,  to  borrow  his  horse  and  sleigh  fo  • 
the  proposed  expedition,  in  case  he  were  not 
going  to  rrake  use  of  '•hem  himself 

They  crossed  the  street,  joined  Will  Chet- 
wood  in  the  store,  and  roused  hie  ire  also  by 
a  recital  of  what  had  just  occurred. 

Rausquattle  was  angry  too.  "No  unfair 
•Scaling  about  it,  eh !"  he  muttered,  looking 
after  them.  "  Well,  I  say  there  has  been ; 
9 


194  MILDRED  KEITH. 

they've  managed  to  keep  other  fellows  at  a  dis 
tance  from  the  girl  without  any  regard  to  hei 
wishes.  But  I'll  soon  put  a  stop  to  that  game, 
mj  lads.  See  if  I  don't." 

He  took  a  letter  from  his  pocket  as  he 
spoke,  unfolded  it,  handling  it  tenderly,  and 
glanced  over  the  contents  with  a  smile  of  self- 
congratulatiofl. 

"  Ah,  ha !  we'll  see  if  she'll  be  able  to  resist 
this !"  he  said,  half  aloud,  as  he  refolded  and 
returned  it  to  its  place  in  the  breast-pocket  of 
his  coat. 

A  sleigh  was  at  that  moment  standing  at 
the  front  door  of  the  yellow  house  on  the  cor- 
ner and  into  it  Mr.  Keith  was  assisting  his  wife 
and  aunt.  Then  followed  the  babe  and  the 
three  next  in  age.  They  were  going  to  the 
country,  to  spend  the  day  with  their  Lansdale 
acquaintances,  the  Wards. 

Mildred,  Kupert,  Zillah  and  Ada  stood  in 
the  doorway  to  see  them  off. 

"  You  won't  be  back  to  tea  ?"  Mildred  said 
inquiringly. 

"  No ;  but  by  bedtime,"  her  father  answered 
as  he  turned  the  horses'  heads.  "  Now  go  in, 
all  cf  you,  out  of  the  cold  before  you  catch  the 
ague." 

"What  did    Claudina    say?"    asked  Mil 


MILDRED  KEITH.  195 

dred,  addressing  Kupert  as  they  obeyed  the 
order. 

"  Yes,  of  course ;  isn't  she  always  glad  of  % 
chance  to  come  here  ?" 

"  That's  good.    How  soon  ?" 

"  In  about  half  an  hour,  I  believe  she  said 
So  you'd  better  hear  Ada's  lessons  and  havr 
them  out  of  the  way." 

It  was  some  weeks  now  since  Ada's  hearf 
had  been  rejoiced  by  a  final  deliverance  front 
Miss  Drybread's  control  and  a  return  to  the  in 
struction  of  her  sister.  Mr.  Lord  still  kept  uj 
his  class  and  Mildred's  zeal  for  study  had  not 
abated,  but  the  minister  had  a  funeral  to  attend 
at  a  distant  point  that  afternoon ;  so  there 
would  be  no  recitations  to  interfere  with  the 
pleasure  of  a  day  with  Claudina.  Celestia  Ann 
etill  kept  her  position  in  the  family,  and  though 
only  ten  o'clock,  the  house  was  in  order,  and 
dinner  and  tea  would  require  no  supervision  by 
the  eldest  daughter  of  the  house. 

Claudina  brought  her  sewing,  and  the  twc 
passed  an  uneventful,  but  pleasant  day  together, 
chatting  over  their  work  or  reading  aloud  in 
turn  ;  for  Claudina  was  nearly  as  great  a  lovei 
of  books  as  was  Mildred. 

Their  talk  was  not  largely  of  their  neigh- 
bore,  but  some  jests  passed  between  them  a 


196  MILDRED   KEITH, 

Ransquattle's  expense.  They  were  quite  severe 
in  their  criticisms,  as  young  things  are  too  apt 
to  be;  but  if  the  ears  of  the  vjctim  burned  it 
was  not  enough  to  prevent  the  act  of  folly  he 
had  in  contemplation. 

Tea  was  over,  Miss  Hunsinger  had  removed 
the  dishes  to  the  kitchen  ;  Mildred  spread  a 
bright  colored  cover  over  the  table,  placed  the 
candles  on  it,  and  she  and  Claudiua  settled 
themselves  to  their  sewing  again  ;  Zillah  and 
Ada  were  the  only  other  occupants  of  the 
room,  Kupert  having  gone  out. 

Presently  there  came  a  knock  at  the  outer 
door. 

"  I'll  go,"  said  Ada,  running  to  open  it. 

A  man,  Nicholas  Ransquattle,  stood  on 
the  threshold.  Stepping  past  the  child  with- 
out speaking,  he  made  directly  for  Mildred,  and 
silently  extended  his  right  hand,  between  the 
thumb  and  forefinger  of  which  he  held  a  letter 

In  a  sort  of  maze  the  girl  took  it,  and  with 
one  of  his  profound  obeisances,  of  one  of  which 
Cyril  had  remarked,  "  I  thought  he  was  going 
to  squattle  on  the  stove  when  he  put  his  head 
down  so  low,"  he  withdrew  without  having 
spoken  a  word. 

They  could  hear  the  crackling  of  the  snov 
tinder  his  heavy  tread  as  he  >  <1  away. 


MILDRED   KEITH.  197 

0  O  Milly,  what  is  it  ?  what  is  it  1  what  did 
he  bring  it  for  ?  had  he  been  to  the  post-office  ?' 
the  little  girls  were  asking  with  eager  curiosity 

Mildred  turned  to  Claudina.  They  looked 
into  each  other's  eyes  for  a  moment,  then  burst 
into  a  simultaneous  hearty  laugh. 

"  Did  ever  you  see  such  a  comi^-il  perform- 
ance ?" 

"  Never  1  It's  addressed  to  you  of  course  ?" 

"  Yes." 

Seizing  a  candle,  laughing  and  blushing, 
41  Come,  help  me  to  read  it,"  Mildred  said. 
"  We'll  go  up  stairs  where  we  won't  be  dis- 
turbed." 

"  Mayn't  we  go  too  ?  mayn't  we  know  what 
your  letter's  about  ?"  pleaded  the  little  girls  aa 
the  older  ones  were  hurrying  away. 

"  No,  no !  tisn't  the  sort  for  children  like 
you  to  know  about,"  laughed  the  sister.  "  Be 
good  and  stay  here.  We  won't  be  gone  long  ; 
and  some  day,  perhaps,  I'll  tell  you  what  it  says.'J 

They  hurried  through  the  kitchen  where 
Miss  Hun  singer  was  vigorously  setting  things 
to  rights,  up  the  crooked  stairway  and  on  into 
Aunt  Wealthy 's  room,  fastened  the  door  and 
proceeded  to  examine  the  missive. 

It  was  an  offer  to  Miss  Mildred  Keith,  of  the 
heart,  hand  and  fortune  of  the  writer,  Nicholas 


198  MILDRED   KEITH. 

Ransquattle,  who  denominated  himself  her  de 
voted  worshiper  and  slave,  and  addressed  her 
as  an  angel  and  the  loveliest  and  sweetest  of 
created  beings.  The  girls  giggled  over  it  at 
nrst,  but  at  length  Mildred  threw  it  down  in 
supreme  disgust. 

"Such  stuff  and  nonsense!  it's  perfectly 
sickening !  I'm  anything  but  an  angel ;  espe- 
cially when  I  lose  my  temper.  And  I  believe 
I'm  losing  it  now ;  for  I  feel  insulted  by  an 
offer  from  such  a  conceited  booby  !" 

"  Somebody's  coming !"  exclaimed  Clau- 
dina. 

"Yes;  Rupert.  I  know  his  step.  "Well, 
Bu,  what  is  it  ?"  as  the  boy  rapped  lightly  on 
the  door. 

"  Why  before  you  answer  that  letter  and 
accept  the  fellow,  let  me  tell  you  something." 

Mildred  threw  open  the  door. 

"  Who  told  you  I  had  one?" 

"  The  children  told  me  about  old  Nick 
bringing  you  a  letter,"  he  answered  laughing, 
but  looking  angry  too,  "  and  it's  easy  enough 
to  guess  the  subject ;  particularly  since  I  heard 
a  bit  of  news  over  yonder  at  the  smithy.  Goto 
Lightcap  says  he  heard  him — old  Nick — boast- 
ing this  morning,  before  several  young  men, 
that  he  was  going  to  marry  Mildred  Keith  " 


MILDRED    KEITH.  199 

For  a  minute  or  more  Mildred  did  not 
speak :  she  had,  probably  never  felt  so  angry  in 
all  her  life. 

"  The  conceited  puppy  !"  she  cried  at  last, 
"  wouldn't  I  like  to  take  some  of  it  out  of 
him !" 

"  Good  for  you  !"  cried  Rupert  clap  ping  hfa 
hands.  "  I  knew  you'd  be  mad.  And  wouldn't 
[  like  to  horsewhip  him  for  his  impudence  ?" 

"  But  it  isn't  right,"  said  Mildred,  already 
cooling  down  a  little  and  ashamed  of  her  out- 
burst. "  You  couldn't  thrash  him,  Ru,  but  in- 
stead you  shall,  if  you  will,  have  the  pleasure  of 
carrying  him  my  answer." 

"  Tell  me  what  it  is  first." 

Mildred  took  the  letter  and  wrote,  in  pencil, 
beneath  the  signature,  "  The  above  offer  is 
positively  declined  ;  all  future  visits  on  the  part 
of  the  writer  aiso,"  and  signed  her  name. 
"  There,  return  it,"  she  said,  '« with  the  infor- 
mation that  it  is  my  final  reply." 


"  Oh  jealousy  I  thou  bane  of  pleasing  friendship, 
Thou  worst  invader  of  our  tender  bosoms  : 
How  does  thy  rancour  poison  all  our  softness, 
And  turn  our  gentle  natures  into  bitterness  I" 

— Bowx. 

THE  news  was  too  good  to  keep,  and  Kupert 
could  not  forbear  stopping  at  the  smithy  on  his 
return  and  giving  Gotobed  a  hint  of  how  mat- 
ters stood. 

To  say  that  the  certainty  of  a  decided  rejec- 
tion of  Kansquattle's  suit  lifted  a  burden  of 
anxiety  from  young  Lightcap's  mind,  is  not  an 
over-estimate  of  the  relief  the  boy's  communi- 
cation afforded  him. 

He  had  been  moody  and  depressed  since  hie 
visit  of  the  morning  to  Ransquattle's  shop,  and 
iiad  refused  to  give  Ehoda  Jane  any  satisfaction 
as  to  his  intentions  in  regard  to  making  one  of 
the  sleighing  party  of  the  following  evening. 
She  was  therefore  agreeably  surprised  when  to- 
ward bed-time  he  came,  in  quite  a  merry  mood, 


MILDRED   KEITH.  901 

into  the  kitchen  where  she  sat  sewing  alone, 
their  mother  having  stepped  out  to  see  a  neigh- 
bor,  to  tell  her  that  he  had  decided  to  go. 

"  Well,  I'm  glad  of  it,"  she  said,  "  and  who 
.*re  you  going  to  take  ?" 

He  colored  at  the  question  and  answered 
almost  doggedly,  "  I'm  going  after  Sarah 
Miller." 

"  "Why  don't  you  ask  Mildred  Keith  ?" 

"  'Cause  there  ain't  no  use ;  Ormsby's 
headed  me  off  there. ' 

"Yes;  an'  if  you  don't  look  out,  with  yer 
pokin'  ways,  he'll  head  you  off  altogether,  and 
marry  her  afore  you  know  it." 

'*  She  ain't  goin'  off  in  such  a  hurry,"  he 
muttered,  drumming  on  the  table  with  his  fin- 
gers ;  then  jumping  up  from  his  chair  and  going 
over  to  the  stove,  making  a  pretense  of  warm- 
ing himself  that  he  might  avoid  the  keen  scru- 
tiny of  his  sister's  sharp  eyes ;  "  but  what's  the 
•use  o'  me  a  tryin'  with  all  them  fellers  round  ?" 

"Gote  Lightcap,Pm  ashamed  of  you  !"  ex- 
claimed Khoda  Jane.  "If  I  was  a  man  I'd 
have  more  plnck  by  a  long  shot.  'T  would  n't 
bo,  me  that  would  let  any  feller  get  ahead  where 
1  was  amind  to  go  in  and  win." 

"  You  don't  know  nothin'  about  it,"  he  re- 
torted, lighting  a  candle  and  stalking  off  to  bed 


202  MILDRED    KEITH 

"  Dear  me,  if  he  only  had  half  mj  spunk/* 
said  Rhoda  Jane,  looking  after  him  with  scorn- 
ful  eyes  and  a  curling  lip. 

The  wish  was  echoed  more  than  once  in  hig 
heart  as  he  lay  awake  far  into  the  night  revolv- 
ing the  subject  in  his  mind,  and  tilled  with 
longings,  doubts  and  fears. 

He  had  been  so  greatly  rejoiced  over  the 
downfall  of  Ransquattle's  hopes ;  yet  after  all 
what  did  it  avail  him  while  the  other  three, 
whose  superiority  he  could  not  help  acknowledg- 
ing to  himself,  remained  in  the  way  ?  Alas, 
there  was  no  great  cause  for  exultation  that  one 
rival  out  of  four  had  been  removed  from  hia 
path. 

Still  was  it  quite  certain  that  they  were  all 
rivals  ?  might  it  not  be  that  Miss  Chetwood  or 
Miss  Grange  was  the  more  attractive  girl  to  one 
or  all  of  them  ?  The  six  were  so  constantly  seen 
together,  the  attentions  of  the  three  young  men 
were  so  equally  divided  between  the  three  girls, 
that  who  could  tell  how  they  were  going  to  pair 
off,  if  at  all? 

Besides  there  was  no  accounting  for  tastes 
and  a  lady  didn't  always  select  that  one  from 
among  her  admirers  whom  other  people  in 
general  considered  tLe  most  desirable  match. 
There  was  yet  &  tpark  of  hope  for  him,  but — ah 


MILDRED   KEITH.  80S 

ll  he  only  had  Rhoda  Jane's  pluck  and  energy 
oJ  determination  1 

Near  sunset  of  the  next  day  a  large  omnibus 
sieigh  drawn  by  four  horses  with  jingling  belle, 
and  well  supplied  with  buffalo  robes  and  other 
appliances  for  keeping  the  cold  at  bay,  went 
from  house  to  house  in  Pleasant  Plains,  picking 
up  the  girls  and  "  boys  "  to  the  number  of  a 
dozen  or  more — a  very  merry  company — then 
glided  swiftly  on  over  the  snow  for  some  six  of 
eight  miles. 

The  sleighing  was  fine,  the  weather  not 
severe ;  the  moon  rose  soon  after  the  setting  of 
the  sun,  and  the  girls  being  well  muffled  up  in 
hoods,  cloaks  and  other  wraps,  were  warm  and 
cosy,  and  vastly  enjoyed  the  ride. 

Of  course  the  lads  did  the  same.  They 
laughed,  jested  and  sang,  and  found  time  fly  as 
swiftly  as  the  horses;  who  seemed  to  make 
nothing  of  their  load. 

The  destination  of  the  party  was  a  hotel  in 
a  neighboring  village,  where  a  supper  had  been 
ordered  for  them  some  days  before.  It  was 
served  up,  hot  and  savory,  shortly  after  their 
arrival. 

A  couple  of  hours  were  afterward  spent  ii» 
the  parlor  of  the  hotel,  in  social  chat  and  play- 
ing games ;  and  here  they  were  joined  bv  MJ 


1304  MILDRED   KEITH. 

Timothy  Buzzard,  who  taught  a  singing- school 
in  this  town  also. 

"  There's  another  rival,"  thought  Gotobed 
jealously  watching  him  carrying  on  a  lively 
conversation  with  Mildre«l ;  "  'pears  like  every 
body's  after  her ;  and  I  can't  get  no  chance  at 
all." 

Rhoda  Jane  was  equally  jealous — partly  foi 
her  brother,  but  still  more  for  herself ;  because 
last  year  Mr.  Buzzard  had  waited  upon  hei 
more  than  on  any  other  girl  in  Pleasant  Plains, 
and  she  considered  him  her  property  and 
"  didn't  fancy  bein'  cut  out  by  no  newcomer 
nor  by  anybody  else,  for  that  matter." 

Influenced  by  the  desire  to  separate  the 
two,  she  was  the  first  to  suggest  that  it  was 
time  to  start  for  home.  She  was  agreeably  sur- 
prised that  Mildred  promptly  seconded  the 
motion. 

Some  objected,  saying  there  was  no  hurry, 
but  as  it  was  now  eleven  o'clock,  these  were 
overruled  by  the  majority,  and  the  sleigh  was 
presently  announced  as  in  readiness. 

"  Can't  we  make  room  for  another  passen- 
ger?" some  one  asked,  as  amid  laughter  and 
jesting,  they  were  crowding  into  the  vehicle. 

"  Who  is  it  ?"  queried  another. 

*'  Why,  Buzzaid  would — " 


MILDRED   KEITH.  205 

"No,  we  hain't  room  for  no  more?"  intei 
rupted  Gotobed.     "  We're  not  agoin1  to  have 
the  ladies  crowded." 

"  Speak  fur  yerself,  Gote  Lightcap,'  spok 
up  Khoda  Jane  with  spirit.  "  There  ain  t  none 
of  us  so  disobligin'  as  not  to  be  willin*  to 
scrouge  a  little  for  the  sake  of  accommodatin' 
a  fellow  critter  in  distress.  Set  up  a  little 
closer,  girls,  snd  there'll  be  lots  o'  room." 

"  Yes  ;  the  more  the  merrier,  and  the  closer 
the  warmer,"  assented  Sarah  Miller.  Gote  Light- 
cap's  partner  for  the  expedition,  who  had 
noticed  with  vexation  and  chagrin  his  evident 
interest  in  Mildred  Keith.  "Come  on,  Buz- 
zard," making  room  for  the  singing  teacher 
between  Ehoda  Jane  and  herself. 

"  Thank  you,  ladies.  I  shall  be  a  thorn  be- 
tween two  roses,"  he  said,  taking  the  offered 
seat  with  a  laugh  at  his  own  stale  jest. 

"  Now  we've  got  the  singing  master  along, 
let's  have  some  music,"  said  Rhoda  Jane,  whei 
they  were  fairly  on  their  way. 

"  Yes,  you'll  be  expected  to  pay  your  way 
Buzzard,"  remarked  Ormsby. 

"  I  hope  I'll  always  be  found  willing  to  do 
that,'  he  responded.  "  Miss  Lightcap,  what 
shaL  1  sing." 

"  Highly  pleased  that  the  choice  was  given 


206  MILDRED   KEITH. 

her,  Rhoda  Jane  promptly  named  a  love  song 
she  had  heard  him  sing  as  a  solo. 

He  gave  it,  then  another,  selected  by  Miss 
Miller,  then  turning  to  Mildred, 

"  I  think  it  is  your  turn  now,  Miss  Keith," 
he  said. 

She  proposed  a  round  he  had  taught  them 
that  winter,  saying  all  could  join  in  it. 

All  did  so  with  right  good  will.  Other 
rounds,  glees,  choruses  and  solos  followed.  They 
sang  on  even  after  reaching  Pleasant  Plains; 
sang  on  till  but  two  or  three  were  left  as  one 
after  another  was  set  down  at  his  or  her  own 
door. 

A  light  burned  in  the  parlor  at  Mr.  Keith's 
and  the  front  door  was  opened  before  the  sleigh 
had  quite  drawn  up  to  it. 

"  Poor,  dear  mother !  what  a  shame  to  have 
kept  you  up  so  long !"  Mildred  exclaimed  as 
ehe  came  in. 

"Never  mind,"  was  the  cheerful  reply 
"  Here  s  a  good  warm  fire ;  take  this  arm-chai? 
close  to  it,  and  don't  remove  any  of  your  wrapa 
till  you  cease  to  feel  chilly.  I  should  have 
prepared  you  some  hot  lemonade  but  for  one 
little  difficulty  in  the  way ;  no  lemons  to  be 
had.  Coffee  would  keep  you  awake ;  but  you 
shall  have  a  glass  of  good  rich  nrlk :  either  hot 


MILDRED    KSITH.  207 

or  cold,  as  you  prefer.    Now  tell  me  what  sort 
of  a  time  you  had." 

"  I  wish  every  girl  had  such  a  mother  as 
mine,"  Mildred  said,  smiling  fondly  up  into 
the  face  she  loved  so  well.  "  I  verily  believe  I 
take  as  much  pleasure  in  recounting  my  ad- 
ventures to  you  as  in  going  through  them. 
And  it  is  so  nice  to  have  so  safe  and  wise  and 
loving  a  confidante. 

"  Mother,  I  have  a  great  deal  to  tell  you, 
not  so  much  about  what  has  occurred  to-night 
as  of  something  that  happened  last  night.  I 
have  been  looking  for  an  opportunity  all  day, 
but  without  finding  it ;  for  you  know  we  were 
unusually  busy  all  the  morning  and  had  com- 
pany all  the  afternoon  till  it  was  time  for  me  to 
get  ready  for  the  sleigh-ride." 

Mrs.  Keith  glanced  at  the  face  of  a  tall 
old-fashioned  clock  ticking-  in  a  corner  of  the 
room. 

"  I  want  very  much  to  hear  your  story, 
daughter;  but  if  you  can  sleep  without  hav- 
ing- told  it  I  think  we  will  reserve  it  till  to- 
morrow; for  see!  it  is  now  half -past  twelve." 

The  girl  would  have  been  glad  to  unbur- 
den her  mind  and  to  learn  if  her  mother  ap- 
proved— not  her  rejection  of  Ransquattle — of 
that  there  could  be  no  doubt — but  her  man- 


208  MILDRED  KEITH. 

ner  of  doing  it ;  bat  that  dear  mother  s  lace 
cheerful  though  it  was,  told  of  physical  ex- 
haustion and  need  of  sleep. 

Mildred  rose  hastily.  "High  time  then 
that  we  wore  both  in  bed.  My  story  will  keep 
perfectly  well  till  to-morrow." 

"  Sit  down  and  finish  warming  yourself," 
Mrs.  Keith  said,  with  a  smile.  "  I  want  to  hear 
about  to-night.  We  will  keep  the  longer  storj 
for  to-morrow." 

The  Lightcaps  found  their  house  all  dark 
the  family  had  retired  to  bed  hours  ago,  bu\ 
leaving  the  kitchen  door  unlocked  and  a  good 
fire  in  the  stove. 

"  Good  and  warm  in  here,"  remarked  Goto- 
bed,  feeling  for  the  candle  and  matches  his 
mother  was  sure  to  have  left  on  the  table  ready 
for  them. 

"  Yes  ;  feels  comfortable.  I  shall  set  down 
and  warm  a  bit  'fore  I  crawl  up  to  that  there 
cold  bed-room." 

"  Me  too  ;  don't  expect  to  sleep  none  when 
I  do  get  to  bed,"  growled  Gote,  as  he  succeeded 
in  lighting  the  candle,  after  two  or  three  inef- 
fectual attempts,  and  set  it  on  the  table  again. 

"  Kind  o'  eggzited  are  ye  ?" 

"  Some.  I  say,  what  did  you  make  room 
f  01  that—  " 


MILDRED    KEITH.  20fr 

"  Don't  swear  ;"  she  sneered,  as  he  paused 
for  a  suitable  cognomen  to  bestow  upon  Buz- 
zard. 

"  I  wa'n't  agoiu*  to  I"  he  said  angrily ; 
"  not  but  what  I've  sufficient  cause  in  your  let- 
ting  that  unclean  bird  in  amongst  us  decent 
folks." 

"  There  now  ;  that'll  do  fur  to-night,"  she 
snapped.  "  Tim.  Buzzard  ain't  no  more  an 
unclean  bird  than  you  are ;  he's  twicet  as  good 
lookin'  and  sings  like  a  nightingale. 

"  But  now  see  here  ;  don't  let's  quarrel,  but 
go  to  work  together  to  bring  things  round  right. 
You  don't  want  him  to  cut  you  out  with  Mil- 
dred Keith,  and  I  don't  want  her  to  cut  me  out 
with  him.  So  now  you  just  spunk  up  and  pop 
the  question  right  off.  If  you  don't,  one  or 
other  o'  them  fellers  '11  get  ahead  o'  you  ;  you 
may  just  take  my  word  for  that." 

Gotobed  dropped  his  head  into  his  hands  and 
sighed  deeply,  then  rose  and  walked  the  floor. 

Rhoda  Jane  watched  him  with  an  eager, 
half-contemptuous  look. 

"Well!"  he  said  at  length,  "I  wisht  I 
Knowed  how !" 

"  Knowed  how !  you  needn't  make  many 
words  about  it ;  'tain't  like  makin*  up  a  sermor 
or  a  president's  message." 


S10  MILDRED   KEITH. 

"  it's  a  heap  more  important ;  the  happiness 
of  a  feller's  whole  life  a  dependin'  onto  it." 

Silence  for  some  minutes,  Rhoda  Jane  sit 
rng  meditatively  before  the  stove,  her  feet  on 
its  hearth,  her  hands  clasped  round  her  knees, 
while  her  brother  continued  his  restless  walk. 

She  was  the  first  to  speak.  "  I'd  write  it 
out  if  I  was  you." 

"  I  ain't  used  to  writin'  much." 

"  Well,  you  can  get  used  to  it ;  you  can  try 
and  try  till  you've  writ  somethin'  that'll  do." 

"  I  couldn't  write  anything  good  enough  for 
her  to  see." 

"  Then  take  t'other  way." 

"  I  don't  never  git  no  chance ;  and  if  I  did 
I'd  be  tongue-tied,  sure  as  the  world." 

"  Then  you'll  have  to  write  it,  and  I'll  help 
you !"  concluded  Rhoda  Jane  with  energy. 

She  arose  as  she  spoke,  picked  up  the  candle, 
stepped  quickly  to  a  corner  shelf  in  the  next  room, 
whence  she  brought  an  inkstand  and  a  quill  pen 

Setting  these  down  on  the  kitchen  table, 
Bhe  went  back,  and  opening  a  bureau  drawer 
where  miscellaneous  articles  were  kept,  fished 
Out  from  its  depths  a  sheet  of  foolscap,  which 
she  spread  out  beside  the  inkstand. 

"  That  ain't  nice  enough,"  said  Gotobed, 
«ying  it  disapprovingly. 


MILDRED   KEITH.  211 

"  Make  it  up  on  that  and  get  better  at  the 
atore  to-morrow  to  copy  it  onto,"  returned  hie 
sister.  "  Now  you  set  down  and  go  at  it  like 
a  man ;  or  maybe  I'd  better  Bay  like  a  woman," 
ehe  added  sarcastically. 

"If  I'd  only  had  an  edicationl"  groaned 
Gotobed,  taking  up  the  pen  ;  "  but  it's  mighty 
hard  on  a  feller — such  things  as  this  is — when 
he  hasn't." 

"  Well,  do  the  best  you  kin,  and  mebbe  it'll 
come  out  right  for  all.  You're  good-lookin' 
and  got  a  good  trade  and  can  make  a  good 
livin'  for  her.  Just  tell  her  that ;  and  tell  her 
you  think  she's  as  purty  as  a  picter,  and  good- 
tempered,  and  knows  a  lot ;  and  that  you  wor- 
ship the  ground  she  walks  on,  and  won't  never 
let  the  wind  blow  rough  on  her,  won't  never 
say  no  cross  words  to  her,  and — and  a  lot  more 
o'  such  stuff;  that's  what  girls  like." 

"  Well,  I  s'pose  you'd  ought  to  know,  see- 
ing you  belong  to  the  sect;  but  it's  a  heap 
easier  for  you  to  say  it  than  for  me  to  git  it 
writ  down  in  black  and  white,"  he  sighed. 

"  I  declare  I'm  clear  beat  out  with  you 
a'most,"  said  Khoda  Jane,  snuffing  the  candle 
impatiently ;  "  and  I've  a  great  mind  to  leave 
you  to  make  it  up  by  yourself. 

But  she  went  on  coaxing,  suggesting  and 


212  MILDRED   KEITH. 

prompting,  till  between  them  they  Lad  com 
posed  an  epistle  which  was  satisfactory  to  her 
though  not  to  her  brother. 

"  It's  nigh  onto  three  o'clock,  and  I'm  awful 
tired  and  sleepy,"  she  remarked,  as  at  last  they 
separated  and  sought  their  beds. 

The  next  day  Gotobed  searched  the  town 
for  letter  paper  and  bought  half  a  quire  of  the 
best  he  could  find. 

During  the  next  week  all  his  leisure  mo- 
ments were  spent  in  making  revised  and  im- 
proved copies  of  his  and  Rhoda  Jane's  joint 
composition. 

He  had  used  his  last  sheet,  and  seized  with 
a  fit  of  desperation,  he  selected  the  one  which 
seemed  to  him  the  least  faulty  and  sent  it  by 
his  sister. 

Mrs.  Keith,  opening  the  door  in  answer  tc 
Khoda  Jane's  knock,  was  struck  with  the  pecu- 
liar expression  of  the  girl's  face — a  mixture  of 
pride,  condescension  and  exultation. 

"  Good  evenin'  Mis'  Keith.  Where's  Mil- 
dred ?"  she  said,  stepping  in  and  glancing 
about  the  room  with  an  air  of  importance,  "  I 
want  to  see  her  pertickler ;  got  somethin'  fur 
her,"  and  a  conscious  glance  at  the  missive  in 
her  hand  enlightened  the  quick-witted  lady  as 
to  its  nature. 


MILDRED   KEITH.  213 

"  Mildred  is  not  at  home,"  she  said ;  u  will 
not  be  until  bedtime  ;  but  anything  you  choose 
to  leave  with  me  will  be  given  her  on  her  re- 
turn." 

Khoda  Jane  considered  a  moment.  She 
felt  a  strong  desire  to  deliver  the  note  into 
Mildred's  own  hand,  and  to  watch  her  while 
reading  it ;  but  should  she  carry  it  back  Goto 
might  change  his  mind  and  put  off  indefinitely 
this  business  which  she  was  so  desirous  to  have 
carried  through  at  once. 

She  left  it,  though  with  evident  reluctance. 

She  presently  congratulated  herself  that  she 
had  done  so.  Gotobed,  eagerly  awaiting  her 
return,  peering  anxiously  every  other  minute 
through  the  smithy  door,  hailed  her  in  breath- 
less excitement. 

"  Well,  what— what  did  she—" 

"  She  wasn't  there.  She's  gone  out  some- 
wheres  and  won't  be  back  till  bedtime." 

"  Give  it  to  me  then  ;  quick !"  and  he  held 
out  his  hand  with  a  peremptory  gesture. 

"  I  ain't  got  it,"  Rhoda  Jane  answered  with 
a  sardonic  grin. 

"  Where  is  it?  you  ain't  gone  and  left  it." 
he  cried  aghast. 

"  Yes,  I  have;  I  give  it  to  Mis'  Keith." 

Gotobed  groaned.     u  I'd  thought  better  of 


214  MILDRED   KEITH. 

it ;  I'd  throw  it  in  the  fire  this  minute  if  I  had 
it  here.  She'll  think  me  a  fool.  I  know  she 
will!" 

"If  she  does  she's  one,"  returned  Rhoda 
Jane  shortly,  and  left  him  to  his  unavailing 
regrets. 

How  they  tortured  him !  how  could  he  bear 
the  suspense. 

Mildred  was  merciful  and  did  not  keep  him 
in  doubt  any  longer  than  necessary.  He  found 
a  letter  next  morning,  in  the  post-office,  with 
his  address  upon  it,  written  in  a  lady's  delicate 
graceful  hand. 

His  heart  seemed  to  jump  into  his  mouth 
at  the  sight.  He  almost  snatched  it  from  the 
postmaster's  hand,  and  without  stopping  to  an- 
swer the  jesting  remark  of  that  functionary  on 
his  sudden  accession  of  color,  hurried  away, 
never  stopping  till  he  reached  the  privacy  of 
his  own  room,  thankful  that  he  succeeded  in 
doing  so  without  being  seen  by  any  of  the 
family. 

But  now  it  was  a  full  minute  ere  he  could 
summon  courage  to  open  the  missive  and  learn 
his  fate.  And  even  when  it  lay  open  before 
him  he  passed  his  hand  several  times  across  his 
eyes  as  if  to  clear  his  sight. 

Yet    it    was    very    plainly    written; — also 


MILDRED  KEITH. 


215 


fiaimy  expressed ;  a  distinct,  decided,  though 
very  kindly  rejection  of  his  suit ;  the  only  reason 
given  that  she  could  not  love  him  and  a  love- 
less marriage  could  be  fruitful  of  nothing  but 
oiisery  to  both  parties 


"  The  rose  that  all  are  praising 
IB  not  the  rose  for  me." 

— liATLLB. 

"  GOTOBED  LIGHTOAP,  you're  the  biggest  fool 
that  ever  was  born!"  exclaimed  the  young 
blacksmith,  between  his  clenched  teeth,  throw- 
ing Mildred's  dainty  note  upon  the  floor  and 
grinding  it  with  his  heel,  while  the  hot  blood 
surged  over  his  swarthy  face,  which  expressed 
in  every  lineament  intense  mortification  and 
chagrin.  "  You  might  'a  knowed  the  likes  o* 
her  couldn't  never  fancy  sech  a  ungainly,  know 
nothin'  varmint  as  you  be." 

He  dropped  his  face  into  his  hands  for  a 
moment,  groaning  in  spirit — for  the  wound  in 
his  heart  was  deep  as  well  as  that  to  his  pride. 

"  It  does  seem  as  if  there  warn't  nothin'  left 
in  this  world  worth  livin'  fur!"  he  sighed 
"  But  then  I'm  not  the  feller  to  give  up  and 
die!  I'll  fight  it  out  an'  get  over  it  yet." 

He  picked  up  the  letter  and  thrust  it  into  his 


MILDRED  KEITH.  217 

bosom,  straightened  himself,  went  down  intc 
the  smithy,  and  fell  to  work  at  his  anvil,  deal 
irg  vigorous  blows  as  if  thus  he  would  drive 
away  the  demon  of  despair. 

lie  ate  little  at  dinner,  and  conscious  that 
Rhoda  Jane's  sharp  eyes  were  upon  him, 
scarcely  lifted  his  from  his  plate. 

He  hurried  back  to  his  work.  She  followed 
him  the  next  minute. 

"  So  she's  give  you  the  mitten  ?" 

"Who  told  you  so?"  he  asked  defiantly, 
standing  before  her  with  arms  folded  and  head 
erect,  but  reddening  to  his  very  hair. 

"  Humph  !  I  ain't  blind,  and  anybody  could 
see  it  with  half  an  eye.  Well,  never  you  mind  1 
you're  a  sight  too  good  fur  her,  the  — " 

"  Don't  you  call  her  no  names  now  !  I  ain't 
agoin'  to  have  it.  It's  me  that  isn't  fit  to  hold 
a  caudle  to  the  like  o'  her,  and  had  ought  to  had 
sense  enough  to  know  it. 

"Well,  I  didn't  boast  like  Kansquattle; 
that'?  one  small  bit  o'  comfort  as  things  has 
turned  out,"  he  concluded  moodily,  picking  up 
Lis  hammer. 

"How'd  he  take  his  mitten?"  laughed 
Rhoda  Jane.  "  Wouldn't  I  ha'  liked  to  seen 
him  puttin'  it  on !" 

"  Take  it !  you  never  see  anybody  look  so 
10 


218  MILDRED   KEITH. 

cheap  as  Nick  when  Mocker  asked  him  'tothej 
day  when  the  weddin'  was  to  conie  off.  Then 
the  fellers  run  him  ('twas  at  Chetwood  and 
Mocker's  store;  I'd  run  in  on  a  arrant  fur 
mother)  and  he  growed  thunderin'  mad,  and 
begun  callin'  her  names  till  Ormsby  was  ready 
to  put  him  out — if  he  hadn't  walked  off  hisself 
— and  I  could  'a  horse-whipped  him  with  a 
right  good  will." 

"  Well,  don't  you  go  and  break  your  heart 
fur  her." 

"I  ain't  a  goin*  to.  There  now,  you'd 
better  leave  ;  fur  I've  a  job  on  hand." 

The  building  lot  selected  by  the  Keiths  was 
bought  and  fenced  in  almost  immediately,  and 
men  set  to  work  at  digging  the  cellar,  and  then 
putting  up  the  walls  of  the  new  house. 

By  dint  of  energetic  oversight  and  urging  on 
of  the  workmen,  Mr.  Keith  succeeded  in  having 
it  roofed  in  before  the  first  heavy  fall  of  snow ; 
so  that  some  advance  could  be  made  with  the 
laying  of  floors,  lathing,  etc.,  during  the  win  ter. 

When  spring  came  things  took  a  fresh  start ; 
more  men  were  employed  and  every  effort  put 
forth  by  the  owner,  to  have  the  building  hur- 
ried on  to  completion. 

Each  member  of  the  family  was  deeply  in- 
terested ;  the  children  made  daily  journeys  tc 


MILDRED   KEITH  2L£ 

the  spot  anJ  all  Rupert's  leisure  time  was  de- 
voted to  digging,  planting  and  other  improve- 
ments of  the  grounds. 

The  boy  was  full  of  energy  and  fond  of  life- 
in  the  open  air.  His  garden  did  him  credit, 
supplying  nearly  all  the  vegetables  wanted  for 
family  use. 

With  some  assistance  from  older  heads  and 
hands,  he  terraced  the  bank  overlooking  the 
river,  made  steps  down  to  the  water's  edger 
where  was  a  fine  spring,  and  built  a  small  arbor 
and  a  spring-house. 

The  new  dwelling  would  be  hardly  so  large 
ae  the  one  they  were  to  leave  for  it,  until  an 
addition  should  be  built,  but  of  more  sightly 
appearance  and  far  more  conveniently  arranged^ 
Besides  it  was  their  own,  and  who  does  not  know 
the  charm  that  ownership  gives  ? 

They  were  very  impatient  to  get  into  it ; 
and  there  was  great  rejoicing  among  the  chil- 
dren when  at  last  the  announcement  was  made 
that  it  was  fit  for  occupancy. 

It  was  their  father  who  brought  the  news 
into  their  reading  and  sewing  circle,  one  bright 
warm  afternoon  early  in  July. 

u  When  shall  we  move,  wife  ?"  he  asked. 

"  Oh  to-night,  to-night !  please,  mother  sajf 
to-night,'  cried  several  little  voices. 


220  MILDRED   KEITH. 

Mrs.  Keith  laughed.  "  It  is  no  sucn  quici 
work,  children." 

"  But  we  might  bedin,"  said  Don.  "I'll 
take  dis  tat  and  turn  back  aden  for  othei 
lings,"  hugging  up  a  large  white  and  yellow 
cat  that  had  been  a  petted  member  of  the 
household  for  some  months  past. 

"  H'm  1"  said  Cyril,  "  Toy  can  take  his  own 
eelf ;  he's  got  more  feet  to  run  with  than  any 
of  the  rest." 

"  And  he  always  runs  alongside  where vei 
we  goes,"  put  in  Fan.  "  Mother  can  we  help 
move?" 

The  question  was  unheard  and  remained 
unanswered  ;  for  the  reason  that  the  older  peo- 
ple were  talking  busily  among  themselves. 

"I  think  we  may  begin  to-morrow,"  Mrs. 
Keith  was  saying ;  "  Celestia  Ann  is  through 
with  her  week's  washing  and  ironing,  and  I'll 
set  her  and  Mrs.  Rood  both  to  cleaning  the  new 
bouse,  while  we  pack  up  things  here." 

"  Oh,  goodie,  goodie !  mother,  mayn't  we 
all  help  !"  chorused  the  children. 

"  "We  will  see,  dears;  perhaps  there  may  be 
some  little  things  that  you  can  carry ;  your  own 
toys  you  shall  carry  at  any-rate,  if  you  wish. 
Yes,  Stuart,  I  have  had  the  parlor  and  one  bod- 
room  of  the  new  house  cleaned  already  ' 


X1LDRED  KEITH  221 

'  O  mother,"  can't  we  have  this  carpel 
taken  up  immediately — I  mean  go  to  work  and 
take  it  up — and  have  it  shaken  and  carried  right 
over  there  ?  and  perhaps  we  could  get  it  down 
this  afternoon,  you  and  auntie  and  I ;  and  have 
the  furniture  of  that  room  carried  right  into  it 
to-morrow  morning,  the  first  thing." 

"  A  capital  idea,''  her  father  said ;  "  then  we 
will  have  one  room  comfortable  there  before- 
all  are  torn  up  here.  Gome,  children,  scamper 
out  of  the  way  !  Wife  i  wheie's  the  tack  ham- 
mei  1" 

*  Oh,  can't  we  help  ?"  pleaded  the  children, 
"  Where  shall  we  go  ?" 

"  No,  not  with  this.  Go  anywhere  out  of 
the  way." 

The  order  was  obeyed  somewhat  reluctantly, 
all  going  out  to  the  adjoining  room.  Zillah 
and  Ada  stopped  there  and  each  took  a  book  • 
the  younger  three  went  up  stairs. 

"  Let's  pack  up  our  things,"  said  Cyril. 

"  What'll  we  pack  'em  in  ?"  queried  Don. 

"We'll  see." 

The  boys  got  out  their  stores  of  marbles, 
balls,  bits  of  twine,  a  broken  knife  or  two,  a  few 
fish  hooks  and  a  set  of  Jackstraws  their  father 
had  made  for  them. 

Fan  brought  out  her  treasures  also,  whicb 


222  MILDRED   KEITH. 

consisted  of  several  dolls  and  thei'  wardrobes, 
a  picture  book  and  some  badly  battered  and 
bruised  dishes ;  the  remains  of  a  once  highly 
piized  metal  toy  tea  set. 

A  packing  box  in  one  corner  of  the  large 
seoond  story  room  was  where  the  playthings  of 
the  little  ones  were  always  kept  when  not  in  use 
"  A  place  for  everything  and  everything  in  its 
place,"  being  one  of  the  cardinal  rules  of  the 
household. 

"  Can  we  take  'em  over  there  now  ?"  asked 
Fan,  as  she  gathered  hers  pell  mell  into  her  apron. 

"  No,  of  course  not,"  said  Cyril.  "  Didn't 
you  hear  mother  say  we  couldn't  begin  moving 
till  to-morrow  ?" 

u  Then  what  did  we  get  'em  out  for  ?" 

"  To  pack  'em  up  and  have  'em  ready  to 
take  over  in  the  morning." 

"  What  '11  we  pack  'em  in  ?"  reiterated  Don. 

"  Let's  look  round  for  a  box  'bout  the  right 
elze,"  said  Cyril.  "  Course  we  can't  carry  them 
in  the  big  board  one.  It's  too  heavy." 

A  good  deal  of  rummaging  followed  upon 
that ;  first  in  the  outer  room,  then  in  the  other, 
occupied  by  Aunt  Wealthy  and  Mildred. 

Finally  they  came  upon  a  pasteboard  box 
standing  on  Mildred's  writing  table,  which 
Cyril  pronounced  just  the  thing. 


MILDRED   KEITH,  *22ft 

"  But  maybe  Milly  won't  like  us  to  take  it," 
objected  Fan,  as  he  unceremoniously  emptied 
the  contents  upon  the  table. 

"  Oh,  she  won't  care ;  there's  nothing  in  it 
but  old  papers  and  things  writed  all  over. 
She's  done  with  them  and  she'll  be  puttin* 
them  in  the  fire  next  thing.  You  know  she 
always  likes  to  burn  up  old  rubbish." 

That  last  statement  was  certainly  according 
to  fact,  and  Fan  made  no  further  objection. 

Don  suggested  asking  leave,  but  Cyril  over- 
ruled that  also. 

"  No ;  they're  all  too  busy  down  there ;  we 
mustn't  bother,"  he  said,  walking  off  with  his- 
prize. 

One  paper  had  fallen  on  the  floor.  Fan. 
stooped,  picked  it  up  and  looked  at  it  curiously, 
as  the  boys  hurried  off  into  the  other  room  with 
their  prize. 

"Milly  didn't  do  that,"  she  remaiked; 
"  tain't  pretty  writin'  like  hers.  Guess  she 
wouldn't  want  to  keep  such  an  ugly  old  thing.'* 

"  Come  Fan,"  Cyril  called,  "  do  you  want 
to  put  your  things  in  too  ?" 

*'  Yas ;"  she  said,  coming  out  with  the  let- 
ter  still  in  her  hand. 

Fan's  dolls  were  put  in  last  and  the  box  was 
too  full  to  allow  the  lid  to  go  on. 


224  MILDRED   KEITH. 

"I'll  take  Bertha  and  carry  her  in  mj 
arras,"  she  said,  lifting  out  her  largest  and 
favorite  child.  "  I  want  her  to  play  wis  now 
and  I'd  raser  not  trust  her  in  dere  wis  dose 
marbles  and  balls  rollin'  round." 

"  Now  the  lid  fits  on  all  right,"  said  Cyril, 
adjusting  it. 

"  "We're  all  packed  up,"  observed  Don,  with 
satisfaction.  "Now  let's  go  play  in  the 
grove." 

The  others  were  agreed  and  Fan  decided 
that  she  must  take  with  her  two  small  rag  dolls 
in  addition  to  Bertha. 

Puss  had  come  up  stairs  with  the  children 
and  was  walking  round  and  round  them,  as 
they  sat  on  the  carpet,  rubbing  affectionately 
against  them  and  purring  loudly. 

"  Let's  give  'em  a  ride  on  Toy's  back,"  said 
Cyril.  "  Here's  a  string  to  tie  'em  on  with, 
and  this  old  letter  shall  be  the  saddle."  picking 
up  the  one  Fan  had  brought  from  the  other 
room,  and  which  she  had  laid  down  beside  the 
bc^. 

The  others  were  pleased  with  tne  idea ; 
Cyril  twisted  the  letter  into  some  slight  resem- 
blance to  a  saddle,  and  in  spite  of  a  vigorous  re- 
Distance  from  the  cat,  tied  it  and  the  dolls  pretty 
securely  to  her  back. 


MILDRED   KEITH.  225 

She  was  of  course  expected  to  go  with  or 
follow  them  as  usual ;  but  the  instant  they  re- 
leased her  she  flew  down  the  stairs,  darted  out 
;>f  the  open  kitchen  door,  tore  across  the  yard 
md  scaled  the  fence  in  a  twinkling. 

The  children  pursued  at  their  utmost  speed, 
but  Toy  was  out  of  sight  before  they  could 
descend  the  stairs. 

"  Well,  I  never !  that  'ar  cat  must  a  gone 
mad,"  Celestia  Ann  was  saying,  standing  in  the 
doorway,  her  hands  on  her  hips,  her  gaze  turned 
wonderingly  in  the  direction  Toy  had  taken. 

"  "Where  ?  which  way  did  she  go  ?  "  asked 
the  children  breathlessly. 

"  Over  the  fence  yonder,  tearing  like  mad. 
She  went  like  a  streak  o'  lightnin'  through  the 
kitching  here,  and  I  didn't  see  no  more  of  her 
after  she  clum  the  fence.  She's  got  the  hydro- 
phoby  bad,  you  may  depend  ;  and  I  only  hope 
she  won't  bite  nobody,  'fore  somebody  knocks 
her  in  the  head." 

"No,  it's  my  dolls  she's  got,"  said  Fan,  who 
had  not  the  slightest  idea  what  "  hydrophoby  " 
might  be.  "  O,  boys,  hurry  and  catch  her  'fore 
phe  loses  'em,"  she  called  after  Ler  brothers  as 
they  renewed  the  pursuit,  hurrying  across  the- 
yard  and  climbing  the  fence  with  a  speed  that 
did  credit  to  their  ability  in  that  line. 

to* 


226  MILDRED  KEITH. 

Fan  stood  beside  it,  gazing  out  anxiously 
through  a  crack  between  the  high,  rough  boards 
till  the  boys  returned  all  breathless  with  run- 
mug,  to  report,  "No  Toy  and  no  dolls  to  be 
seen  anywhere. 

"  But  don't  cry,"  added  Cyril,  seeing  Fan's 
lips  tremble  ominously ;  "  she'll  come  back  when 
she  wants  her  supper  ;  you  bet." 

"  It's  wicked  to  bet,"  remarked  Don  virtu- 
ously. 

"I  didn't,"  said  Cyril,  "  come  let's  go  play 
in  the  grove.  I'll  bend  down  a  tree  and  give 
you  a  nice  ride,  Fan." 

Gotobed  Lightcap  had  just  finished  a  job, 
and  pausing  a  moment  to  rest,  was  wiping  the 
perspiration  from  his  brow  with  a  rather  dilapi- 
dated specimen  of  pocket-handkerchief,  when  a 
cat  darted  in  at  the  open  door,  ran  round  the 
smithy  IP  a  frightened  way,  then  lay  down  OD 
the  floor  and  rolled  and  squirmed  kicking  its 
feet  in  the  air  in  the  evident  effort  to  rid  itself 
of  something  tied  to  its  back. 

"With  a  single  stride  Gotobed  was  at  the  e;de 
of  the  struggling  animal. 

He  took  it  up  and  in  a  few  seconds  had  re- 
jeved  it  of  its  hated  incumbrance. 

"It's  them  Keith  children's  pet  cat,"  he 
said  half  aloud,  "  and  thev've  been  a  tyin*  some 


MILDRED  KEITH.  227 

of  their  doll  babies  onto  it.  There  you  km  go, 
puss  ;  don't  take  up  yer  lodgin'  here ;  for  we've 
cats  enough  o'  our  own. 

"  Eh  1  what's  this  ?"  as  his  eye  fell  on  the 
letter  and  he  recognized  his  own  awkward,  ill- 
shaped  hieroglyphics. 

He  felt  his  face  grow  very  led  and  hot  a? 
he  straightened  it  out  upon  his  knees,  his  heart 
fluttering  with  the  thought  of  the  possibility 
that  it  might  have  been  some  little  liking  for 
the  writer  that  had  prevented  its  immediate  de 
struction. 

There  were  some  words  in  pencil  along  the 
margin  ;  he  held  it  up  to  the  light  and  slowly 
deciphered  them. 

He  was  not  much  accustomed  to  reading 
writing  and  this  had  become  slightly  blurred : 
but  he  made  it  out  clearly  at  last ;  a  jesting  re- 
mark about  his  mistakes  in  spelling  and  gram- 
mar, which  were  many  and  glaring. 

"  I  wouldn't  ha'  believed  it  of  her !"  he  ex- 
claimed, crimsoning  with  anger  and  shame  as 
he  flung  the  torn  and  crumpled  sheet  into  the 
fire  of  his  forge,  the  dolls  after  it. 

He  caught  up  his  hammer  and  fell  to  work 
again,  muttering  to  himself,  "  It's  her  writin'; 
there  can't  be  nc  mistake ;  fur  it's  just  like  what 
she  writ  me  afore.  And  I  would  n't  a*  believed 


228  MILDRED  KEITH. 

it  of  her,  I  wouldn't ;  I  thought  she  d  a  kind 
heart  and  would  make  allowance  fur  them  that 
hasn't  had  the  same  chance  as  her." 

lie  had  not  been  wrong  in  his  estimate  of 
Mildred.  She  would  never  have  wounded  his 
feelings  intentionally.  She  had  a  habit  of 
writing  her  thoughts  on  the  margin  of  what 
she  was  reading,  and  the  words  had  been  care- 
lessly traced  there  with  no  expectation  that  they 
would  ever  be  seen  by  any  eye  but  her  own. 
Nor  would  they  but  for  the  mischievous  med- 
dling of  the  children. 

She  set  no  value  upon  the  letter ;  did  not 
miss  it  till  months  afterwards,  and  then  supposed 
she  had  destroyed  it,  though  she  could  not  dis- 
tinctly remember  having  done  so. 

In  the  meantime  Gotobed  kept  his  own 
counsel,  concealing  his  hurt  as  well  as  he  could 
and  trying  not  to  hate  the  hand  that  had  in- 
flicted it 


"  Farewell,  a  long  farewell." 

THE  Keiths  were  scarcely  more  than  well 
settled  in  their  new  home  when  Miss  Stan- 
hope announced  her  intention  of  returning  to 
Ohio  almost  immediately. 

This  news  was  received  by  the  family  with 
something  akin  to  consternation.  "  How  could 
they  do  without  her  ?"  they  asked  ;  "  didn't 
everybody  need  her  every  day  of  their  lives, 
from  father  and  mother  down  to  Annis  51" 

"Ah,"  she  answered  smiling,  though  her 
eyes  were  dim  with  unshed  tears,  "  you'll  have 
each  other  and  will  soon  find  that  you  can  get 
on  very  well  indeed  without  your  blundering 
old  auntie.  But  the  question  is  how  shall  she 
do  without  you  ?  The  old  Lansdale  home  will 
be  very  lonely  with  no  little  feet  pit-patting 
about  it." 

"  Then  what  makes  you  go,  Aunt  Wealthy  V 


230  MILDRED   KEITH. 

chorused  the  children,  clinging  to  her  with 
many  a  loving  caress. 

"  I  must,  my  darlings ;  there's  business  1 
have  to  attend  to  ;  and  I  feel  that  the  ague  is 
breaking  me  down." 

"  I  fear  that  is  too  true/  Mrs.  Keith  said, 
with  a  strong  effort  to  speak  cheerfully,  "  and 
therefore  I  will  not  entreat  you  to  stay,  dear 
auntie ;  but  rather  urge  your  departure  before 
the  sickly  season  sets  in. 

"  Though  it  just  breaks  my  heart  to  think 
of  the  parting !"  she  added,  hurrying  from  the 
room  to  conceal  her  emotion. 

"But  you'll  come  back  soon,  won't  you, 
auntie?"  pleaded  the  children. 

"  Not  very,  I  in  afraid,  dears,  it's  a  long  and 
expensive  journey." 

"  Too  long  for  you  to  take  alone,  Aunt 
Wealthy,"  Mildred  said.  "  I  dread  it  for  you. 
I  don't  see  how  we  can  let  you  go  without  a 
protector." 

"  I  shall  not,  child.  Is  not  the  promise  to 
me,  '  Behold,  I  am  with  thee,  and  will  keep 
thee  in  aL  places  whither  thou  goest  V  Yes  ; 
to  me  and  to  each  one  of  His  children.  S  j  I 
am  not  afraid,  and  you  need  not  fear  for 
me." 

"  Dear  auntie,  if  the  Saviour  were  here,  I 


MILDRED    KEITH.  231 

think  he  would  say  to  you,  '  O  woman,  great 
is  thy  faith  !' " 

"  My  dear,  I  deserve  110  such  commenda- 
tion ;  my  faith  is  often  very  weak.  But  I  want 
you  to  remember  and  try  to  realize  that  this 
almighty  Friend  not  only  goes  with  me  when 
I  leave  you,  but  stays  with  you  also  ;  according 
to  His  gracious  promise,  '  I  will  never  leavo 
thee  nor  forsake  thee.' 

"  Troubles  and  trials  will  come  and  there 
are  dark  and  stormy  days  in  every  life— but  '  as 
thy  '  days  so  shall  thy  strength  be.' 

"  I  can  not  tell  you,  Mildred,  how  hard  it 
is  for  me  to  leave  you  all,"  she  continued,  her 
voice  trembling  with  emotion,  "  but  it  would 
be  ten  times  harder  were  it  not  that  I  know 

*  this    God   is    our    God  forever    and    ever ;  * 
and    that  '  he   will    be  our  guide   even   unto 
death.'  " 

"  Aunt  Wealthy,"  said  Mrs.  Keith  coming 
in  again,  "  Stuart  and  I  have  been  talking  this 
over — this  resolve  of  yours  to  return  to  Ohio- — 
and  he  says  it  will  never  do  for  you  to  attempt 
it  without  an  escort." 

"  I  shall  be  very  glad  of  an  escort,  if  there 
•a  one  to  be  had,"  Miss  Stanhope  answered ; 

*  out  if  not,  I  must  even  go  without — trusting 
»u  Providence." 


232  MILDRED   KEITH. 

"  But  you  would  wait  a  few  weeks  rather 
than  go  alone  ?" 

"Certainly;  God  works  by  means,  and  we 
are  to  use  them,  while  at  the  same  time  we 
trust  only  in  him." 

"  Stuart  says  the  merchants  will  be  going 
on  East  to  buy  their  fall  goods.  He  will  in- 
quire among  them  and  let  you  know." 

"  Ah  yes ;  I  think  I  heard  Mr what's 

his  name  ?  Mimicker  ?  Sneerer  ?" 

"  Mocker  ?"  suggested  Mildred  with  a  smile. 

"  Yes,  yes,  Mr.  Mocker,  I  heard  him  say 
something  about  it  being  his  turn  this  fall  to 
lay  in  a  new  supply  of  goods." 

"  Ah,  I  hope  it  will  turn  out  that  you  will 
have  him  for  your  escort,  Aunt  Wealthy,"  said 
Mildred,  "  for  I  know  that  he  will  take  the 
best  possible  care  of  you.  But  do  try,  auntie, 
to  get  his  name  fixed  in  your  memory." 

"That  I  will,"  Miss  Stanhope  answered 
with  a  good  humored  smile;  "for  he  might 
not  fancy  the  synonyms  of  it ;  the  meaning  no* 
being  the  most  complimentary  in  the  world." 

Mr.  Keith  brought  home  word  that  Mr. 
Mocker  would  leave  for  the  East  in  a  fort- 
night and  would  be  happy  to  take  charge  of 
Miss  Stanhope. 

Aunt  Wealthy  had  always  been  very  deal 


H1LD11KD  KEITH.  238 

to  these  nieces  and  nephews,  but  now  that  they 
were  about  to  lose  her,  it  seemed  to  them  that 
they  had  never  realized  half  her  worth. 

They  lingered  near  her,  they  hung  npon 
her  words  and  looks,  and  when  the  time  for 
parting  came,  eking  about  her  with  sobs  and 
tears,  loading  her  with  caresses,  till  she  was 
forced  to  tear  herself  from  their  embraces  and 
hurry  away. 

The  stage  had  drawn  up  before  the  gate ; 
she  hastened  down  the  garden  path,  the  weep- 
ing children  running  after ;  Mr.  Keith  and 
Mr.  Mocker  assisted  her  into  the  vehicle,  the 
latter  took  his  place  by  her  side,  and  in  another 
moment  she  was  whirled  away  out  of  sight,  all 
drowned  in  tears,  and  leaving  the  others  in  like 
•condition. 

"  It  eeems  just  like  a  funeral !"  sobbed  Ada, 
"  oh,  will  she  never,  never  come  back  any  more  I" 

"  Perhaps  she  may,  dear,"  said  the  mother, 
wiping  away  her  own  tears,  "  we  will  try  to 
think  so  at  least,  and  be  cheerful  and  happy  in 
looking  forward  to  that  time.  And  in  the 
meanwhile  we  may  hope  for  a  letter  now  and 
then." 

"  Oh,"  cried  Rupert,  «  that  reminds  me  that 
there's  a  letter  in  the  office  for  you  now, 
mother  1  I  saw  it  there,  but  had  no  money 


234  MILDRED  KEITH. 

with  me  to  pay  the  postage.  If  you'll  give  me 
the  two  shillings,  I'll  run  and  get  it  now." 

"  Do  so,  my  son,"  Mrs.  Keith  said,  giving 
him  the  money.  "  I'm  sorry  you  forgot  it 
and  did  not  get  it  out  in  time  for  Aunt 
Wealthy  to  see  it." 

Letters  were  rarities  in  those  days,  and  the 
older  members  of  the  family  awaited  Rupert's 
return  from  the  post-office  with  a  good  deal  of 
eagerness,  not  unmixed  with  anxiety. 

He  was  not  long  gone  for  he  too  was  curious 
in  regard  to  it,  desirous  to  learn  its  contents 
and  who  was  the  writer. 

"  It's  post  marked  Detroit,"  he  said,  deliv- 
ering it  to  his  mother.  "  I  can't  think  who'd 
be  likely  to  write  to  any  of  us  from  there. 

"  Unless  it  might  be  Captain  or  Edward 
Wells,"  he  added  with  a  quizzical  glance  at 
Mildred. 

"  The  hand  looks  familiar,"  remarked  Mrs. 
Keith  carefully  breaking  the  seal ;  then  open- 
ing out  the  sheet,  "  Horace  Dinsmore !"  she 
exclaimed,  "  And  he  is  coming  to  see  us !  Oh, 
what  a  pity  that  Aunt  Wealthy  has  just  missed 
him!" 

"  A  pity  indeed !"  echoed  her  husband. 
'*  But  he  may  stay  with  us  some  weeks,  and 
perhaps  take  Lansdale  on  his  way  home." 


MILDRED   KEITH.  235 

"  1  hope  he  won't ;  won't  stay  here  long,  I 
mean,"  muttered  Kupert  in  an  aside  to  Mildred. 
••  I  didn't  like  him  the  other  time." 

"Nor  I,  very  much,  but  perhaps  he  has 
improved." 

"Mother,  who  is  he?"  the  younger  ones 
were  asking. 

"  My  cousin ;  his  mother  and  mine  were 
sisters." 

"  "Were  ?  Aren't  they  now  ?"  queried  Zillah. 

"  Yes,  dear,  but  they  both  went  home  to 
heaven  many  years  ago.  My  mother  first — 
before  Aunt  Eva  married  Mr.  Dinsinore  and 
went  away  down  south  to  live. 

44  But  wait  till  I  have  read  the  letter  and 
then  you  may  ask  all  the  questions  you  wish." 

It  was  not  a  lengthy  epistle.  Mrs.  Keith 
glanced  over  it,  then  read  it  aloud.  Its  tone 
was  cousinly  and  affectionate. 

The  writer  stated  that  he  had  lately  gradu- 
ated from  college  and  was  now  taking  a  tour 
to  rest  and  refresh  himself  after  many  months 
of  hard  study  ;  that  he  had  arrived  in  Detroit, 
would  tarry  there  a  week  and  then  journey 
on  into  Indiana  to  visit  his  relatives  in  Pleasant 
Plains." 

"This  letter  has  been  some  time  on  the 
way,"  Mrs.  Keith  remarked,  examining  the 


236  MILDRED   KEITH. 

date,  "  and  really  I  think  he  may  walk  in  upon 
us  day  after  to-morrow." 

"  Then  we'd  better  be  getting  ready  for 
him !"  exclaimed  Mildred,  starting  up  in  her 
•energetic  way. 

"  Wait  a  little.  Mother  promised  to  tell  us 
about  him,"  cried  the  children. 

"  Yes,  and  will.  There's  time  enough, 
Milly." 

Mildred  resumed  her  seat ;  for  she,  too 
wanted  to  hear  all  her  mother  had  to  tell. 

"My  mother,"  Mrs.  Keith  began,  "was 
two  years  younger  than  Aunt  Wealthy,  who 
was  the  daughter  of  my  grandfather  by  his  first 
wife ;  therefore  only  half  sister  to  my  mother 
and  Aunt  Eva,  who  were  the  children  of  the 
second. 

"  Aunt  Eva  was  five  years  younger  than  my 
mother  and  was  still  single  when  mother  died ; 
which,  as  you  have  all  heard,  was  when  I,  hei 
only  child,  was  but  little  more  than  two  years  old. 

"  Cousin  Horace,  too,  was  the  only  child  oi 
his  mother,  and  quite  a  little  fellow  when  she 
died.  I  was  there,  on  a  visit,  at  the  time  and 
did  what  I  could  to  comfort  him. 

"We  grew  quite  fond  of  each  other  then 
and  have  always  been  so  ever  since,  though  we 
have  lived  far  apart  and  met  very  seldom." 


MILDRED   KEITH.  23T 

"Has  he  got  a  father?"  asked  Cyril,  "and 
does  he  live  with  hitn  ?" 

"  Yes ;  he  has  a  father,  and  lives  with  him 
when  he  is  at  home ;  but  for  years  past  most  ot 
his  time  has  been  spent  at  school  and  college." 

"  I  thought  Cousin  Horace  had  brothers  and 
sisters?"  Rupert  said,  inquiringly. 

"  Yes ;  his  father  soon  married  again  and 
has  a  large  family  by  the  second  wife." 

"What  is  Cousin  Horace  like,  mother?'* 
asked  Ada. 

"  Wait  until  he  comes  and  see  for  yourself," 
jeas  the  smiling  rejoinder. 

"  How  glad  you  look,  mother  1"  said  Mildred 
'are  you  really  so  much  pleased  that  he  'la 
coming  ?" 

"  Why,  certainly,  my  child  1  he  is  my  near 
kinsman,  and,  as  I  have  just  told  you,  I  am: 
very  fond  of  him ;  he's  like  a  dear  younger 
brother  to  me.  And  particularly  welcome  just 
now  as  his  coming  will  take  from  the  dreadful. 
ly  lonely  feeling  Aunt  Wealthy's  departure  haa 
given  the  house." 

"  But,  mother,  we  can't  entertain  him  suita- 
bly ,  we're  so  cramped  for  room  and  our  house 
only  half -furnished ;  and  he  is  used  to  living  in 
such  grand  style.  You  know  you  have  often 
told  me  about  it — what  a  beautiful  place  Rose- 


238  MILDRED    KEITH. 

lands  is,  and  how  many  carriages  and  aorees, 
and  what  a  retinue  of  servants  they  keep." 

Mrs.  Keith  smiled  kindly  at  the  anxious 
face  turned  toward  hers.  "  Well,  daughter 
dear,  we'll  just  do  the  best  we  can  for  him 
and  it  won't  hurt  him  to  try  roughing  it  in  the 
backwoods  —  or  prairies  rather  —  for  a  little 
while." 

"  Well,  it's  a  little  better  than  if  he  had 
come  while  we  were  in  the  old  yellow  house 
We've  a  nice  porch  here,  and  a  front  yard 
ehaded  with  grand  old  oaks;  and  no  neighbors 
near  enough  to  watch  everj  movement." 

"  A  good  many  conveniences,  too,"  added 
her  mother,  cheerily,,  "  and  a  beautiful  view  of 
river  and  town.  I  think,  too,  that  we  can 
manage  to  give  him  a  room  to  himself,  and  to 
feed  him  well,  with  the  help  of  Eupert's  gar- 
den, the  cow  and  the  chickens." 

The  expectation  of  this  visit  was  a  real 
blessing  to  the  family ;  to  Mrs.  Keith  and  Mil- 
dred in  especial— just  at  this  time ;  giving  oc- 
cupation to  their  thoughts  as  well  as  hands,  in 
the  necessary  preparation  for  the  proper  accom- 
modation and  entertainment  of  the  coming 
guest;  thus  preventing  much  of  the  sadnese 
the  loss  of  Miss  Stanhope's  loved  society  would 
have  caused  them. 


MILDRED  KEITH.  239 

The  next  arrival  of  the  semi-weekly  stage 
brought  Horace  Dinsmore,  his  servant  and  lug- 
gage to  their  door. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  was  a  dark-eyed,  handsome 
pouth  of  distinguished  appearance  and  with  the 
air  of  a  prince  of  the  blood  royal ;  yet  evidently 
a  kind  master;  for  his  man  John,  a  spruce 
young  negro,  seemed  to  take  the  greatest  pride 
and  pleasure  in  waiting  upon  "  Massa  Horace  '" 
and  anticipating  his  every  wish. 

While  warmly  welcoming  her  young  rela- 
tive, Mrs.  Keith  was  somewhat  dismayed  at  the 
unexpected  sight  of  the  servant — house  room 
being  so  scarce ;  but  the  difficulty  was  obviated 
by  placing  a  cot-bed  in  the  empty  loft  of  the 
newly  erected  stable  at  the  foot  of  the  garden. 

"  How  very  thoughtless  and  selfish  in 
Cousin  Horace  to  bring  that  fellow  along,"  Mil- 
dred said  to  her  mother. 

"  No,  my  dear,  not  when  we  consider  that 
chey  have  always  been  together  and  neither 
would  know  very  well  how  to  do  without  the 
other.  I  was  the  thoughtless  one  not  to  re- 
member  that  and  expect  John." 

'  Always  together,  mother?" 

"  Yes ;  they  are  nearly  the  sair>e  age — John 
a  few  months  older  than  his  young  master—- 
and were  playfellows  in  infancy. 


240  MILDRED   KEITH. 

"  John's  mother  was  Horace's  '  mammy.'  as 
ihe  children  down  south  call  their  nurses ;  and 
i  think  loved  her  white  nursling  even  better 
than  her  own  children. 

"  John's  aiFection  for  Horace  is  probably  afi 
great,  and  it  would  come  near  breaking  his 
heart  to  be  separated  from  him." 

Horace  Dinsmore  had  paid  a  visit  to  Lans- 
dale  the  year  before  the  removal  of  the  Keiths 
to  Indiana.  The  impression  he  had  then  made 
upon  his  young  cousins  was  not  at  all  favorable ; 
he  was  silent,  morose  and  seemed  to  take  little 
or  no  interest  in  anybody  or  anything. 

"  He  is  not  like  himself,"  Mrs.  Keith  had 
said  to  Aunt  Wealthy  again  and  again  ;  "  he  ie 
in  trouble,  some  great  sorrow  has  come  to  him." 

But  they  did  not  succeed  in  winning  his 
confidence ;  he  rejected  their  sympathy,  locked 
up  his  secret  in  his  own  bosom,  and  left  them 
as  sad  and  moody  as  when  he  came. 

He  was  changed  for  the  better  now ;  was 
cheerful,  at  times  even  gay,  and  showed  much 
interest  in  them  and  their  affairs,  making  them 
valuable  presents ;  for  he  had  large  means  and 
a,  generousf  nature. 

Some  gifts — of  dress-goods,  jewelry  and 
children's  toys,  he  had  brought  with  him,  and 
4i  addition  he  presented  Mildred  and  Rupert 


MILDRED    KEITH.  241 

each  with  a  town  lot  in  the  immediate  neigh- 
borhood of  their  new  home. 

Mr.  Keith,  in  his  sturdy  pride  of  independ- 
ence, was  inclined  to  reject  these  last ;  but  his 
wife  said, 

"  No,  Stuart,  do  not ;  you  will  hurt  Horace's 
feelings ;  the  land  is  very  cheap,  the  price  of  it 
nothing  to  him  with  his  large  wealth  ;  I  know 
it  is  a  real  pleasure  to  him  to  give  it  to  the 
children." 

Mr.  Keith  yielded  the  point  and  said 
nothing. 

Mr.  Dinsmore,  not  being  a  religious  man, 
and  belonging  to  a  very  proud  and  aristocratic 
family,  was  not  one  to  mingle  with  those  he 
denominated  "  the  common  herd,"  as  his  cousin 
well  knew.  Therefore  only  a  few  of  their  ac- 
quaintances— the  educated  and  refined — were 
invited  to  meet  him  and  accompany  them  on 
some  little  excursions — riding,  boating,  and 
fishing — gotten  up  for  his  entertainment. 

He  made  himself  agreeable  on  these  occa- 
sions ; — an  easy  thing  for  him  to  do  with  hie 
handsome  person,  polished  manners  and  good 
conversational  powers — but  soon  let  it  be  known 
to  his  relatives  that  he  decidedly  preferred  exclu- 
sively family  parties.  After  that  they  had  only 
such  while  he  staid,  which  was  for  several  weeks. 
11 


Chapter  Itmetetjj. 

"  Seldom  shall  she  hear  a  tale 
So  sad,  so  tender,  and  so  true." 

HORACE  DINSMOKE  showed  much  interest 
in  Mildred,  seemed  to  like  to  watch  her,  let 
her  employment  be  what  it  might,  and  to  have 
her  company  in  long  solitary  walks  and  drives. 

Several  times  he  remarked  to  her  mother 
that  she  was  growing  very  lovely  in  person  and 
was  a  girl  of  fine  mind  ;  adding  that  he  sincerely 
hoped  she  would  not  throw  herself  away  upon 
«ome  country  boor. 

The  two — Mrs.  Keith  and  Mr.  Dinsmore — 
were  alone  in  the  sitting-room,  one  pleasant 
afternoon  early  in  September,  when  this  remark 
was  made  for  the  third  or  fourth  time ;  alone 
except  that  little  Annis  was  playing  about  the 
floor,  apparently  absorbed  \vith  Toy  and  her 
doll. 

Mrs.  Keith   was   sewing,  her  cousin   whc 


MILDRED   KEITH.  243 

had  been  pacing  to  and  fro,  now  standing  be- 
fore her. 

She  lifted  her  head  with  a  startled  look. 

"  Horace,  don't  forget  that  you  and  Mildred 
are  cousins." 

He  colored  slightly,  then  laughingly  an- 
swered to  her  thought  rather  than  her  words, 

"  Don't  be  alarmed,  Marcia ;  I'm  not  think- 
ing of  her  in  that  way  at  all." 

His  face  suddenly  clouded  as  with  some 
gloomy  recollection. 

"  Marcia,"  he  said,  taking  a  chair  near  her 
side,  "my  visit  is  drawing  to  a  close  and  there 
is  something  I  must  tell  you  before  I  go;  I 
came  with  the  purpose  of  doing  so,  but  hitherto 
my  heart  has  failed  me.  "We  seem  to  be  alone 
in  the  house  and  perhaps  there  will  be  no  bet- 
ter time  than  this." 

"  I  think  not,"  she  said,  "  we  can  secure 
ourselves  from  intrusion  by  locking  the  door** 

He  rose,  turned  the  key,  and  came  back. 

He  did  not  speak  again  for  a  moment,  but 
sat  watching  Annis  with  a  peculiar  expression 
which  excited  hid  cousin's  surprise  and  3uri- 
osity  •  and  not  for  the  first  time  either  ;  she  had 
noted  it  before ;  the  child  seemed  to  both  attract 
and  repel  him. 

More  than    mce  Mrs.  Keith  had  seen  him 


244  MILDRED    KEITH. 

Bnatch  her  up  suddenly  with  a  gesture  of  strong 
affection,  only  to  set  her  down  the  next  minute 
»nd  turn  away  as  if  from  something  painful  to 
x*>k  upon. 

"  What  is  it  you  see  in  my  baby,  Horace  V 
she  asked,  laying  her  hand  affectionately  upon 
his  arm. 

"She  is  a  sweet,  pretty  little  thing,  yet  it 
gives  me  more  pain  than  pleasure  to  look  at 
her,"  he  said  sighing  and  passing  his  hand 
across  his  brow. 

"  Yon  cannot  imagine  why  it  should,"  he 
went  on,  smiling  sadly  into  his  cousin's  wonder- 
ing face,  "  because  there  is  a  page  in  my  past 
life  that  you  have  never  read." 

His  features  worked  with  emotion.  He 
rose  and  paced  the  floor  back  and  forth  several 
times  ;  then  coming  to  her  side  again, 

"  Marcia,  I  have  been  a  husband ;  I  am  a 
father;  my  little  girl — whom  I  have  never 
seen — must  be  just  about  the  age  of  Annis." 

"  You,  Horace  ?  you  are  but  twenty  years 
old  !"  dropping  her  work  to  look  up  at  him  in 
uttei  amazement. 

"  I  knew  you  would  be  astonished — that 
yon  could  hardly  credit  it — but  it  is  true." 

Then  resuming  his  seat  he  poured  out  in 
impassioned  language,  the  story  al-oadv  so  weli 


MILDRED  KEITH.  245 

known  to  the  readers  of  the  Elsie  books— 
of  his  visit  to  New  Orleans  three  years 
before  this,  his  hasty  and  clandestine  marriage 
to  the  beautiful  heiress,  Elsie  Grayson,  their 
speedy  separation  by  her  guardian  and  his 
father,  the  subsequent  birth  of  their  little  daugh 
ter  and  the  death  of  the  young  mother,  follow- 
ing so  soon  thereafter. 

Her  work  forgotten,  her  hands  lying  idly  in 
her  lap,  her  eyes  gazing  intently  into  his,  Mrs. 
Keith  listened  in  almost  breathless  silence,  the 
tears  coursing  down  her  cheeks  during  the  sad 
dest  passages. 

"  My  poor  Horace  !  my  poor,  dear  cousin  !" 
she  said  when  he  had  finished.  "  Oh,  it  was 
hard,  very  hard  !  Why  did  you  never  tell  me 
before." 

"  I  could  not,  Marcia,"  he  answered  in  trem- 
ulous tones,  "  it  is  the  first  time  I  have  spoken 
my  darling's  name  since — since  I  knew  that 
she  was  lost  to  me  forever." 

"  Forever !  oh  do  not  say  that !  You 
have  told  me  she  was  a  sweet  Christian  girl, 
and  none  who  trust  in  Jesus  can  ever  be 

toft' 

"  But  to  me ;  I  am  no  Christian,"  he  sighed, 
"  But  you  may  become  one.     The  invita- 
tion is  to  you,  *  Come  unto  me  ;'  and  the  blessed 


246  MILDRED   KEITH. 

assurance,   '  Him  that  cometh  unto  me,  I  wit 
in  no  wise  cast  out." 

He  sat  silent,  his  face  averted,  his  hea<? 
Oowed  upon  his  hands. 

She  waited  a  moment,  then  spoke  again. 

"  Your  child,  Horace !" 

"  She  is  at  Viamede  with  the  guardian." 

"  And  you  have  never  seen  her  ?" 

"No." 

"  Oh  how  can  you  bear  it  ?  doesn't  your 
heart  yearn  over  her  ?  don't  you  long  to  have 
her  in  your  arms  ?" 

"No;  why  should  I?  she  robbed  me  of 
her — my  darling  wife." 

"  But  you  do  not  know  that  ?  and  certainly 
t  was  innocently,  if  at  all." 

"  That  has  always  been  my  feeling." 

"  You  ought  not  to  allow  yourself  to  feel 
so  "  she  said  almost  indignantly.  "  Poor  little 
motherless  darling !  must  she  be  worse  than 
fatherless  too  ?" 

"  What  would  you  have,  Marcia  ?"  he  asked 
ooldly,  his  face  still  turned  from  her,  "  what 
could  I  do  with  a  child  ?  And  she  is  well  ofl 
where  she  is;  better  than  she  could  be  any- 
where  else; — under  the  care  of  a  pious  old 
Scotch  woman  who  has  been  house-keeper  in 
the  Grayson  fair; '  for  many  years,  and  that 


MILDRED   KEITH.  247 

of  her  mammy  who  nursed  her  mother  before 
her:  a  faithful  old  creature  so  proud  and  fond 
of  her  young  mistress  that  I  doubt  if  she  would 
have  hesitated  to  lay  down  her  life  for  her." 

"  That  is  well  so  far  as  it  goes,  Horace,  but 
•do  you  wish  your  child  to  grow  up  a  stranger  to 
you  ?  would  you  have  no  hand  in  the  moulding 
of  her  character,  the  training  of  her  mind  ?" 

"  I  had  not  thought  of  that,"  he  said  sigh- 
ing, "  but  I  do  not  feel  competent  to  the  task.' 

"  But  it  is  your  work ;  a  work  God  himself 
has  appointed  you  in  giving  you  the  child ;  a 
work  for  which  he  will  give  wisdom  if  you  seek 
it  of  him. 

" '  If  any  of  you  lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of 
God,  who  giveth  to  all  men  liberally  and  up- 
braideth  not :  and  it  shall  be  given  him.' 

"  And  if  you  neglect  it,  my  dear  cousin, — 
bear  with  me,  while  I  say  it — it  will  be  at  your 
peril." 

"  How  do  you  mean,  Marcia  ?" 

"  The  day  may  come  when  you  will  want 
that  child's  love  and  obedience  :  when  you  will 
covet  them  more  than  any  other  earthly  good, 
and  perhaps,  find  that  they  are  denied  you." 

"  It  is  possible  you  may  be  right  in  regard 
to  the  first,"  he  said  haughtily,  his  dark  eyes 
flashirg,  as  he  turned  hie  face  towards  her 


24:8  MILDRED   KEITH. 

again,  "  but  as  to  the  other — her  obedience — it 
will  be  strange  indeed  if  I  cannot  compel  it 
She  may  have  a  strong  will,  but  she  will  find 
that  mine  is  yet  stronger." 

"  Horace,"  said  his  cousin  earnestly,  "if  yon 
refuse  or  neglect  to  do  a  father's  duty  cy  her, 
what  right  can  you  have  to  claim  a  child's  duty 
from  her  ?" 

"I  am  not  conscious  of  having  neglected 
my  duty  toward  her  thus  far,"  he  said,  stil. 
haughtily.  "  As  I  have  already  explained,  she  is 
where,  in  my  judgment,  she  is  better  off  for  the 
present,  than  she  could  be  anywhere  else. 
What  changes  may  come  in  the  future  I  do  not 
know.'' 

"  Forgive  me  if  I  have  seemed  to  blame  yon 
undeservedly,"  Mrs.  Keith  said  with  tears  in 
her  eyes ;  "  but  ah,  my  heart  yearns  over  that 
poor  baby!" 

She  caught  up  her  own  and  kissed  it  pas- 
sionately as  she  spoke. 

"  Ah  !  "  she  sighed,  pressing  the  little  crea- 
ture to  her  bosom,  "  whatever  would  my  dar- 
lings do  without  a  father's  and  a  mother'? 
love!" 

He  walked  to  the  window  and  stood  there 
for  several  minutes.  Then  coming  back, 

"  Marcia,"  he  said,      will  you  do  me  the 


MILDRED   KEITH.  249 

favor  to  write  about  this  to  Aunt  Wealthy  I 
and  tell  her  I  have  always  felt  ashamed  of  my 
behavior  during  my  visit  to  you  both,  two  years 
igo.  I  could  not  bring  myself  to  explain  then 
the  cause  of  my — what  shall  I  call  it  ?  sullen- 
ness  ?  It  must  have  looked  like  it  to  you  and 
her  and  to  all  who  saw  me. 

"  But  you  will  understand  it  now  and  per- 
haps have  some  charity  for  me." 

"  We  had  then,  Horace,"  she  said,  "  we 
were  sure  it  was  some  secret  grief  that  made 
you  so  unlike  your  former  self.  Yes,  I  will 
write  to  Aunt  Wealthy.  May  I  tell  your  story 
to  Mildred  also  ?" 

"  Not  now,  please.  When  I  am  gone  she 
may  hear  it." 

"  Excuse  another  question.  Do  you  know 
any  tiling  of  your  little  one's  looks  ?" 

"  I  have  heard  nothing;  but  if  she  at  all  re 
sembles  her  mother,  she  must  be  very  pretty." 

"And  you  have  never  even  asked!  O 
Horace!" 

"I'm  afraid  you  think  me  very  heartless," 
he  said,  coloring.  "  But  you  must  make  some 
allowance  for  my  being  a  man.  Women,  I 
think,  feel  more  interest  in  such  things  than  we 
ol  the  sterner  sex  do." 

"  Then  I  think  my  husband  must  be  an  e*- 
11* 


250  MILDRED   KEITH. 

oeptional  man,  for  he  loves  his  children  verj 
dearly,  and  takes  great  pride  in  their  beauty 
and  intelligence." 

"  I  daresay ;  it  might  have  been  the  same 
with  me  under  happier  circumstances,"  he  an- 
swered in  a  bitter  tone. 

Little  feet  came  pitpatting  through  the  hail, 
little  voices  were  asking  for  mother. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  opened  the  door  and  ad- 
mitted the  inseparable  three. 

"  Mother,  I'm  cold,"  said  Fan  shivering, 
and  her  teeth  chattering  as  she  spoke. 

"  Cold,  darling  ?    Come  here." 

"  She's  got  a  chill,"  remarked  Cyril  sagely. 
"  I'm  as  warm  as  toast.  It's  real  hot  in  the  sun 
where  we've  been  playing." 

*•  I'm  afraid  she  has  ;  her  nails  are  quite 
blue,"  Mrs.  Keith  said,  taking  one  small  hand 
in  hers.  "  Come,  dear  ;  mother  will  put  you  to 
bed  and  cover  you  up  nice  and  warm,  and  give 
you  something  hot  to  drink." 

"Me  too,  mother,"  said  Don,  creeping  to 
her  side  and  laying  his  head  on  her  shoul- 
ler,  "  I'm  so  tired  and  my  head  aches  so 
bad." 

His  cheeks  were  flushed,  his  hands  hot  and 
dry. 

"  You,  too,  mother's  little  man  ?"  she  ez- 


MILDRED   KEITH.  251 

claimed.     "  Mother  is  so  sorry  for  you   ooth. 
Have  you  been  cold,  Don  ?" 

"  Yes,  ma'am,  and  it  creeps  down  my  back 
now." 

"  Take  care  of  Annis,  Cyril,"  said  Mrs 
Keith,  and  excusing  herself  to  her  cousin,  she 
led  the  sick  ones  away. 

Coming  back  after  some  little  time,  " 
found  Ada  down,  too,"  she  sighed.  "  She  had 
crept  away  by  herself,  without  a  word  to  any 
one — poor,  dear  child  !  '  not  wanting  to  trouble 
mother,'  and  there  she  lay  shaking  till  the  very 
bed  shook  under  her." 

"  It's  dreadful  1"  cried  Mr.  Dinsmore, 
"  positively  dreadful,  Marcia !  How  can  yon 
stand  it  1  I  believe  there  has  hardly  been  a 
week  since  I  came  when  you  were  all  well." 

"  Ah,  that's  because  there  are  so  many  of 
us!''  she  answered,  laughing,  though  tears 
sprang  to  her  eyes. 

"  Why  do  you  stay  here  1  I'd  pack  up  every- 
thing  and  be  off  instanter." 

"  Necessity  knows  no  law,"  she  said 
*'  Cyril,  son,  can  you  go  down  to  the  spring  and 
get  some  fresh  water  for  the  sick  ones  ?" 

"  Yes,  ma'am  ;  I'll  take  the  biggest  bucket ; 
cause  folks  always  want  to  drink  so  much  water 
Then  the  chill's  on  'em." 


$52  MILDRED    KEITH. 

(  Cyril  knows  that  by  experience,"  hi» 
mother  remarked  as  the  boy  left  the  room. 

"  Why  do  you  speak  of  staying  here  as  a 
necessity,  Marcia  ?"  asked  her  cousin.  "  You 
had  as  large  a  fortune  from  your  mother  as  1 
from  mine." 

"Riches  take  wings,  Horace,  and  a  largo 
family  and  unfortunate  investments  supplied 
them  to  mine." 

She  spoke  cheerfully,  jestingly,  as  though  it 
were  but  occasion  for  mirth,  but  his  tone  was 
fall  of  concern  as  he  answered, 

"  Indeed  I  never  knew  that.  It  is  a  thou- 
sand pities!  I  wonder  you  can  be  so  content 
and  light-hearted  as  you  seem." 

"  Ah,  I  have  so  much  left !  All  my  chief est 
treasures, — husband,  children,  many  great  and 
precious  promises  for  both  this  life  and  the 
next." 

"  Ah,  but  if  you  stay  here,  how  long  are  you 
likely  to  keep  husband  and  children?  not  to 
speak  of  the  danger  to  your  own  life  and 
health." 

"Sickness  and  death  find  entrance  every, 
where  in  this  sad  world,"  she  said  ;  her  voice 
trembling  slightly,  "  and  in  all  places  we  are 
under  the  same  loving  care.  It  seems  our  duty 
to  stay  here,  and  the  path  of  duty  is  the  safest 


MILDRED   KEITH.  253 

It  is  thought  that  in  a  few  years  this  will  be- 
come a  healthy  country.'* 

"  I  hope  so,  indeed,  for  yonr  sake,  but  it  is  a 
hard  one  for  you  in  other  ways.  I  am  net  BO 
unobservant  as  not  to  have  discovered  that  you 
do  a  great  deal  of  your  own  work.  And  I  don't 
like  that  it  should  be  so,  Marcia." 

"You  are  very  kind,"  she  answeied,  smiling 
up  orlghtly  into  his  face  as  he  stood  looking 
down  upon  her  with  a  vexed  and  anxious  ex- 
pression, "  It  is  very  nice  to  have  you  care  so 
much  for  me,  Horace." 

"  There's  nobody  in  the  world  I  care  more 
for,  Marcia,"  he  said,  "  and  going  over  some  of 
our  late  talk,  in  my  mind,  I  have  thought  there 
is  nobody  to  whom  I  should  so  much  like  to 
commit  the  care  and  training  of  my  child.  I 
mean,  of  course,  if  your  hands  were  not  already 
full  and  more  than  full  with  your  own." 

"They  are  not  so  full  that  I  would  not 
gladly  do  a  mother's  part  by  her,"  she  answered 
with  emotion,  "  were  it  not  for  the  danger  of 
bringing  her  to  this  climate." 

"  Yes,  that  is  the  difficulty.  It  would  nevei 
Jo,  so  miasmatic  and  so  cold  and  bleak  during 
*  great  part  of  the  year;  especially  for  one 
born  so  far  south.  But  I  thank  you,  cousin  &tt 
the  samo  " 


S54  MILDRED   KEITH. 

"  "We  have  not  much  sickness  here  except 
igue,"  she  remarked  presently,  "  but  there  are 
several  varieties  of  that — chills  and  fever  occur- 
ring at  regular  intervals — generally  every  other 
day  at  about  the  same  hour ;  dumb  ague,  shak- 
ing ague,  and  sinking  or  congestive  chills;  which, 
last  are  the  only  very  alarming  kind,  sometimes 
proving  fatal  in  a  few  hours." 

"  Indeed !  you  almost  frighten  me  away," 
he  said  half  seriously,  half  in  jest.  "  That  is 
not  a  very  common  form,  I  hope  ?" 

"  !No,  rather  rare." 

"  Don't  you  send  for  the  doctor  ?" 

"  Not  often  now  ;  we  did  at  first,  but  it  is 
so  frequent  a  visitor  that  we  have  learned  to 
manage  it  ourselves." 

The  sickly  season  had  fairly  set  in,  and  more 
afraid  of  it  than  he  liked  to  acknowledge,  Mr. 
Dinsmore  hastened  his  departure,  leaving  for 
the  East  by  the  next  stage. 


I  marked  the  Spring  as  she  pass'd  along, 

With  her  eye  of  light  and  her  lip  of  song ; 

While  she  stole  in  peace  o'er  the  green  earth's  breast, 

While  the  streams  sprang  out  from  their  icy  rest. 

The  buds  bent  low  to  the  breeze's  sigh, 

And  their  breath  went  forth  in  the  scented  sky; 

When  the  fields  look'd  fresh  in  their  sweet  repose, 

And  the  young  dews  slept  on  the  new-born  rose." 

WILLIS  GAYLORD  CIABZ. 


"  WELL,  I'm  both  glad  and  sorry  Horace  is 
gone,"  Mrs.  Keith  remarked  with  a  smile,  & 
sigh  and  a  dewy  look  about  her  eyes,  as  the 
stage  passed  out  of  sight.  "  I'm  fond  of  the 
lad,  but  was  troubled  lest  the  ague  should  get 
hold  of  him.  Besides,  the  dearest  of  guests  ie 
something  of  a  burden  with  sickness  in  the 
house  and  a  scarcity  of  help." 

"  Tes,  that  is  very  true,  mother,"  Mildred 
answered,  "  and  so  thoroughly  do  I  realize  it 
that  I  am  wholly  and  heartily  glad  he's  gone ; 
albeit  1  liked  him  much  better  this  time  than  I 
did  before." 

Celestia  Ann  had  left  months  ago,  and  they 


256  MILDRED   KEITH. 

had  had  very  indifferent  help  during  Mr.  Dins. 
more's  visit,  though  fortunately  such  as  they 
could  keep  away  from  the  table  when  their 
guest  was  present  at  it. 

Mildred  went  on  now  to  express  her  satis- 
faction that  such  had  been  the  case,  adding, 
"  "What  would  he  have  done  if  Miss  Hunsinger 
had  been  here,  and  in  her  usual  fashion  asserted 
her  right  to  show  that  she  felt  herself  as  good 
as  he  or  anybody  else  ?" 

"He'd  have  annihilated  her  with  a  look," 
laughed  Rupert. 

"  He  would  have  acted  like  the  perfect  gen- 
tleman  he  is,"  said  Mrs.  Keith,  "  but  it  would 
have  been  exceedingly  mortifying  to  me  to  have 
him  so  insulted  at  my  table ;  for  as  he  has  been 
brought  up,  he  could  not  avoid  feeling  it  an 
insult  to  be  put  on  a  social  equality  with  one  so 
rude  and  vulgar." 

"  The  house  feels  lonely,"  said  Zillah,  "it 
seems  'most  as  if  Aunt  Wealthy  had  just  gone 
away." 

"  We'll  get  our  sewing  and  a  book,"  said 
her  mother,  "  Come  all  into  the  sitting-room. 
Rupert  may  be  the  reader  this  time. 

"  Mildred,  you  and  I  will  have  to  be  rerj 
busy  now  with  the  fall  sewing." 

"  Yes  mother  dear ;  it's  a  blessing  to  have 


MILDRED   KEITH.  257 

plenty  of  employment.  But  do  you  think  I 
shall  need  to  give  up  my  studies  for  a  time  ?" 

"  No,  daughter,  I  hope  not.  I  want  you  to 
go  on  with  them  ;  Mr.  Lord  says  you  are  doing 
so  nicely.  Your  cousin,  too,  told  me  be 
thought  you  were  getting  a  better — more  thor- 
ough— education  with  him,  than  you  would  be 
likely  to  in  any  school  for  girls  that  he  knows 
of."  " 

Mildred's  eyes  sparkled,  and  cousin  Horace 
took  a  warmer  place  in  her  affections  than  he 
had  held  before.  It  was  well,  for  it  needed  all 
that  to  keep  her  from  disliking  him  for  his  in- 
difference toward  his  motherless  little  one, 
when,  a  few  days  later,  she  heard  his  story  from 
her  mother's  lips. 

They  had  a  very  busy  fall  and  winter,  miss- 
ing sorely  Miss  Stanhope's  loved  companion- 
ship and  her  help  in  the  family  sewing,  the 
putting  up  of  fruit — the  pickling  and  preserv- 
ing, indeed  in  every  department  of  household 
work ;  and  in  nothing  more  than  in  the  care 
of  the  sick. 

Letters  came  from  her  at  rare  intervals — for 
mails  were  infrequent  in  those  days  and  post- 
age was  very  high — were  read  and  re-read,  then 
put  carefully  by  to  be  enjoyed  again  when  time 
an  i  opportunity  could  be  found  for  another  pe- 


258  MILDRED  KEITH. 

meal.  They  were  not  the  brief  statements  ol 
facts  that  letters  of  the  present  day  generally 
are,  but  long  chatty  epistles,  giving  in  pleasing 
detail,  her  own  doings  and  those  of  old  friendi 
and  acquaintances,  and  all  that  had  happened 
in  Lansdale  since  they  left ;  telling  of  her  pets, 
of  the  books  she  read  and  what  she  thought  of 
them. 

Then  there  were  kind  inquiries,  conjectures 
as  to  what  they  were  doing  and  thinking; 
answers  to  their  questions,  and  words  of  coun- 
sel and  of  tender  sympathy  in  their  joys  and 
sorrows. 

Many  a  langh  did  they  give  their  readers, 
and  many  a  tear  was  dropped  upon  their  pages 
They  so  loved  the  dear  old  lady  and  couid 
almost  hear  the  sweet  tones  of  her  voice  as  they 
read  or  repeated  to  each  other,  her  quaint  say 
ings. 

Fall  and  winter  passed,  bringing  with  them 
no  marked  changes  in  the  family,  but  very 
much  the  same  round  of  work,  study  and  diver- 
sion as  in  the  former  year. 

The  children  grew,  mentally  and  physically, 
now  mother,  and  now  sister  Mildred,  "  teach- 
ing  the  young  ideas  how  to  shoot ;"  for  they 
could  not  endure  the  thought  of  resigning  the 
precious  darlings  to  the  tender  mercies  of  Da- 


MILDRED  KEITH  259 

maiis  Drybread,  whose  school  was  still  the  only 
one  in  town. 

The  old  intimacy  was  kept  up  in  just  the 
old  way  among  the  coterie  of  six,  and  the  gos- 
sips vainly  puzzled  their  brains  with  the  ques- 
tion which  girl  was  the  admired  and  admirer  of 
which  young  man. 

Mildred  was  happily  freed  from  the  visits 
oi  Ransquattle — of  which  Lu  Grange  had  be- 
come the  impatient  and  disgusted  recipient — 
and  saw  little  of  Gotobed  Lightcap,  who,  upon 
one  excuse,  or  another,  absented  himself  from 
most  of  the  merry-makings  of  the  young  people 

Indeed  there  had  been  scarcely  any  inter- 
course between  the  two  families  since  the  re- 
moval of  the  Keiths  from  the  immediate 
neighborhood  of  the  Lightcaps  ;  for  there  was 
no  similarity  of  taste,  no  common  bond  of  in- 
terest to  draw  them  together ;  nothing  in  truth, 
save  a  kind  and  friendly  feeling  toward  each 
other  ;  and  as  regarded  Rhoda  Jane,  even  this 
was  lacking. 

She  had  never  yet  forgiven  Mildred's  rejec- 
tion of  her  brother  and  almost  hated  her  for  it, 
though  she  knew  naught  of  her  added  offense 
in  the  matter  of  the  criticism  on  his  letter, 
That  was  a  secret  which  Gotobed  kopt  faith 
fnllv  locked  iir  his  own  breast. 


260  MILDRED   KEITH. 

The  spring  opened  early  for  that  climate; 
with  warm  rains  that  brought  vegetation  for- 
ward rapidly. 

The  Keith  children  revelled  in  oat  door 
work  and  play ;  each  of  the  younger  ones  had  a 
tittle  garden  to  dig  and  plant  as  he  or  she 
pleased,  and  a  pet  hen  or  two  in  the  chicken 
yard,  and  there  was  much  good-natured  rivalry 
as  to  who  should  have  the  earliest  vegetables, 
the  greatest  variety  of  flowers,  the  largest  broods 
of  young  chicks,  or  the  most  newly  laid  eggs  tc 
present  to  father  and  mother,  or  the  invalid  of 
the  hour  ;  for  the  old  enemy — ague — still  vis- 
ited them  occasionally ;  now  one,  now  another, 
or  it  might  be  several  at  once,  succumbing  to 
its  attacks. 

However,  the  lion's  share  of  both  gardening 
and  poultry-raising  fell  to  Rupert ;  who  busied 
himself  out  of  study  hours,  with  these  and  many 
little  odd  jobs  of  repairing  and  adorning — such 
as  mending  fences,  putting  up  trellises,  train- 
ing vines  and  trimming  shrubbery  and  trees. 

The  mother  and  Mildred  found  so  much  to 
dc  within  doors,  that  some  oversight  and  direc- 
tion of  these  younger  workers,  and  the  partial 
care  of  a  few  flower-beds  near  the  house,  were 
'ill  they  could  undertake  outside. 

The}  had  been  without  a  domestic  for  some 


MILDRED   KEITH.  26 1 

weeks,  had  passed  through  the  trying  ordeal  of 
the  regular  spring  house-cleaning  with  only 
Mrs.  Rood's  assistance,  when  one  pleasant  May 
morning,  while  dishing  up  breakfast,  their  hearts 
were  gladdened  by  the  sight  of  the  sinewy  form 
and  energetic  countenance  of  Celestia  Ann 
Hunsinger  as  she  stepped  in  at  the  kitchen  door 
with  a  characteristic  salutation. 

"  How  d'ye,  Mis'  Keith  ?  You  don't  want 
no  help  round  here,  do  ye  ?" 

"  We  want  just  the  sort  of  help  we'll  be  sure 
of  if  you'll  take  off  your  bonnet  and  stay,"  Mrs. 
Keith  answered,  giving  her  a  hearty  grip  of  the 
hand. 

"  Then  that's  what  I'll  do  and  no  mistake," 
returned  the  girl,  setting  down  a  bundle  on  a 
chair,  with  the  remark,  "  You  see  I've  brought 
some  o'  my  duds  along,"  pulling  off  her  sun  bon- 
net and  hanging  it  on  a  nail.  "  Here,  Miss 
Mildred,  let  me  smash  them  'taters." 

"  So  Mis'  Keith,  you've  been  buildin'  since 
I  was  here  last." 

"  Yes ;  a  new  kitchen  ;  so  we  could  take  the 
old  for  a  dining-room  and  be  less  crowded/* 

"  It's  awful  nice ;  I  always  did  like  a  {rood 
bigkitching; — room  to  turn  round  and  teap 
things  straight." 

"  It's  going  to  be  nicer  still,  Celestia  Ann, 


262  MILDRED   KEITH. 

said  Kupert  who  had  just  come  in  from  his 
work  in  the  garden,  and  was  washing  his  hands 
preparatory  to  taking  a  seat  at  the  table,  "  it 
wants  a  coat  of  paint  on  the  outside  and  I'm 
going  to  put  it  on  myself,  to-day." 

"  Well,  I  never  1"  she  ejaculated,  "  do  ye 
think  you're  up  to  that  ?'' 

"Of  course  I  do;  and  so,  I  suppose,  do 
lather  and  mother  ;  or  they  wouldn't  have  con- 
sented to  let  me  try." 

"  Well,  there's  nothin'  like  tryin' ;  as  I've 
found  out  in  my  own  experience,"  returned  Miss 
Hunsinger,  using  her  potato  masher  vigorously, 
"and  I  allers  enjoy  meetin'  with  folks  that's 
willin'  fur  it.  But  do  you  know,  Mis'  Keith, 
'pears  to  me  lite  '  I  can't '  comes  the  easiest  to 
most  human  critters'  tongues  of  any  two  words 
in  the  American  language;  and  with  more'ii 
half  on  'em  they're  lyin'  words ;  yes,  there's 
more  lies  told  in  them  two  words  than  in  any 
other  ten.  So  there !"  as  she  laid  down  hei 
masher  to  stir  in  the  milk,  butter  and  salt. 

"  I'm  afraid  there  is  only  too  much  truth  in 
your  remark,"  said  Mrs.  Keith,  "  but  certainly 
ao  one  can  accuse  you  of  a  fondness  for  that 
favorite  phrase  of  the  indolent  and  ease-loving.' 

"  Thank  yon,  Mis'  Keith.  I've  lots  of  faults 
and  failin's  as  well's  the  rest  o'  the  human  fam- 


MILDRED  KEiTH.  203 

tly,but  I'm  certain  sure  there  ain't  no  lazj  *»•*&« 
in  my  body. 

"  Here  these  taters  is  ready  to  set  on  th  • 
table,  and  I  see  you've  got  your  steak  and  bit 
cuits   dished  up.     But  I  hain't  inquired  afte 
the  fam'ly.     Anybody  got  the  agur  ?" 

"  No,  I  believe  we  are  all  well  this  morning 
thanks  to  a  kind  Providence.  Rupert,  call 
your  father  and  the  rest  to  breakfast." 

No  frowns  greeted  Celestia  Ann  as  she.  with 
her  accustomed  nonchalance,  took  her  place 
with  the  others.  Everybody  was  glad  to  see 
her,  because  her  arrival  meant  comparative  rest 
for  mother  and  Mildred,  and  more  time  to  be 
devoted  by  them  to  the  loving  care  and  enter- 
tainment of  father  and  the  younger  children. 

After  breakfast,  family  worship.  Then  Mr. 
Keith  went  to  his  office  and  the  others  scattered 
to  their  work  or  play.  Sunbonnets  and  hats 
\rere  in  request  among  the  little  ones ;  for 
mother  had  given  permission  to  go  out  if  they 
would  be  careful  to  keep  on  the  gravel  walks 
till  the  dew  was  off  the  grass. 

Sister  Mildred  gave  kind  assistance,  and 
away  they  ran,  while  she  and  Zillah  and  Ada, 
old  enough  now  to  begin  to  be  useful  about  the 
house,  made  beds,  dusted  and  set  things  to 
rights  in  sleeping  and  dwelling  rooms,  and 


864  MILDRED   KEITH. 

Rupert  donned  a  suit  of  overalls  and  went  tc 
his  chosen  task. 

Celestia  Ann  needed  but  little  direction  or 
oversight,  and  in  half  an  hour  Mrs.  Keith  re- 
paired to  the  sitting-room. 

What  a  pleasant  place  it  seemed  as  she 
came  in  1 — fresh  and  bright  from  its  recent 
cleaning,  neat  as  a  new  pin,  the  open  windows 
looking  out  upon  the  grassy  side  yard,  with  its 
shrubbery  and  trees  clothed  in  vivid  green,  and 
giving  a  charming  view  of  the  clear  waters  of 
the  swiftly  flowing  river  sparkling  in  the  sun- 
light. 

"  Isn't  it  a  lovely  morning,  mother  ?"  cried 
Mildred,  whose  graceful  figure  was  flitting 
about  here  and  there,  putting  a  few  finishing 
touches  to  the  adornments  of  the  room.  "1 
think  the  sunshine  was  never  brighter,  the  air 
never  sweeter.  It  is  a  luxury  just  to  live ! 
Hark  to  that  robin's  song  and  the  sweet  prat- 
tling of  the  little  voices  you  and  I  love  so  well  \ 
A.nd  I  feel  as  blithe  and  gay  as  a  bird." 

"  Yes,  dear  child,"  said  the  mother,  happy 
tears  springing  to  her  eyes,  "  Oh,  how  great  is 
Ilis  goodness  to  us  unworthy  creatures!  so 
much  of  mercy  and  blessing  here  and  the  cer 
tainty  of  endless  joy  and  bliss  beyond !  Life 
has  its  dark  and  dreary  days,  but  after  all  ther 


MILDRED    KEITH.  265 

is  more  of  brightness,  to  those  who  look  foi 
it,  than  of  gloom." 

"  I  believe  that  is  true,  mother,"  responded 
Mildred,  "  though  when  the  dark  and  dreary 
days  are  upon  us,  it  is  sometimes  very  difficult 
to  hold  fast  to  one's  faith. 

"I  do  love  this  time  of  year,"  she  added, 
leaning  from  the  window  to  watch  the  ferry- 
boat slowly  crossing, 

'•  Sweet  spring,  full  of  sweet  days  and  roses, 
A.  \wx  where  sweets  compacted  lie.' " 

"  Oome,  xet  ^s  go  out ;  I  think  we  may 
spare  an  hour  to  the  garden  this  morning," 
Mrs.  Keith  said  gayly,  leading  the  way. 
"  What  a  blessing,  among  others,  it  is  to  have 
a  good  reliable  girl  in  the  kitchen  !" 

"  Yes,"  laughed  Mildred,  "  I  could  almost 
have  hugged  Celestia  Ann ;  I  was  so  glad  tc 
see  her.  What  do  you  suppose  brought  her 
just  at  this  time,  mother  ?" 

"  Need  of  money  for  summer  finery,  I  pre- 
sume. See,  our  morning  glories  are  coming 
up  nicely." 

"  Mother,  mother,  and  Milly,"  cried  Fan 
running  to  them  in  an  ecstasy  of  delight,  "  my 
speckled  hen  has  thirteen  .ittle  chicks,  the 
prettiest  bits  of  fuzzy  things  you  ever  saw 
Do  come  and  lookl" 
lit 


266  MILDRED   KEITH. 

She  turned  and  Bped  back  again  toward  the 
chicken  yard,  mother  and  sister  following. 

The  ether  three  little  ones  were  there  watch 
ing  "  Speckle  "  and  her  brood  with  intense  in- 
terest. 

"  See  !  see  !  mamma,  Milly !  see !  see !' 
cried  Baby  Annis  in  aflutter  of  delight,  holding 
her  little  skirts  close  to  her  chubby  legs,  as  the 
"  bits  of  fuzzy  things"  ran  hither  and  thither 
about  her  feet,  "  pitty  'ittle  chickies,  dust  turn 
out  of  eggs." 

"  Yes,  dears,  they  are  very  pretty,"  Mrs. 
Keith  said  ;  "  but  they  are  very  tender  little 
things ;  so  be  careful  not  to  hurt  them.  No, 
Cyril,  don't  pick  them  up,  and  be  sure  you 
don't  step  on  them.  Ton  may  go  to  the  house 
for  some  bread  crumbs,  Fan,  and  you  and  Annis 
may  feed  them." 

This  permission  gave  great  pleasure,  and 
Fan's  small  feet  went  skipping  and  dancing 
through  the  garden  in  the  dir  tion  of  the 
kitchen  door  . 

Then  mother  must  look  at  Annis  s  lieu  sit- 
ting on  her  nest,  and  notice  how  the  older 
broods,  belonging  to  Cyril  and  Don,  were 
growing  in  size  and  strength ;  Zillah's  and 
Ada's  also ;  and  hear  how  many  eggs  the  other 
nests  had  furnished  this  morning. 


MILDRED   KEiTH.  267 

After  that  the  gardens  were  submitted  to 
her  inspection,  Mildred  still  bearing  her  com- 
pany, both  making  suggestions  and  giving  as- 
sistance, 

And  so  a  full  hour  had  slipped  by  before 
they  returned  to  the  house,  and  Kupert,  they  , 
found,  had  made  great  progress  with  his  work. 

"  I've  painted  the  whole  end,  mother ;  do 
you  see  ?"  he  called  to  her ;  "  and  now  I'm  be- 
ginning this  side.  I  think  I'll  have  the  whole 
job  done  to-day." 

"  You  have  been  very  industrious,"  she  said, 
"  but  don't  make  haste  so  fast  that  it  will  not  be 
done  well." 

"  Oh,  no,  ma'am,  I  don't  intend  to." 

He  was  at  the  top  of  his  ladder  and  near 
the  roof  of  the  new  one-story  addition  to  their 
house. 

"  Take  care,  my  son,"  said  Mrs.  Keith ;  "  it 
seems  to  me  your  ladder  doesn't  stand  very 
securely.  Is  there  no  danger  of  its  slipping  ?" 

"  Never  a  bit,  mother,"  laughed  the  boy 
"  why  what  should  make  it  slip  ?" 

She  and  Mildred  turned  and  walked  on  to- 
ward the  front  of  the  house,  had  just  set  foot 
npoa  the  porch  there,  when  a  shout  from  Ru- 
pert startled  them  and  made  them  pause  and 
look  back  at  him. 


268  MILDRED   KEITH. 

They  saw  the  ladder  slip,  slip  tnen  slide 
rapidly  to  the  ground,  while  with  a  cry  of  alarm 
they  rushed  toward  him. 

But  they  were  much  too  far  off  to  reach 
him  in  time  to  be  of  the  least  assistance.  Down 
he  came  to  the  ground,  falling  with  considera- 
ble impetus  and  alighting  upon  his  feet,  his 
brush  in  one  hand,  his  paint  pot  in  the  other, 
striking  with  a  force  that  sent  the  paint  all 
over  his  person. 

He  reeled  and  dropped. 

"  Are  you  hurt  ?  oh,  my  boy,  are  you  much 
hurt?"  asked  his  mother  tremulously,  as  she 
hurried  to  him,  looking  very  pale  and  fright- 
ened. 

"My  clothes  have  got  the  worst  of  it,  I  be- 
lieve, mother/'  he  said,  laughing  and  stagger- 
ing to  his  feet.  "  I'm  afraid  they've  robbed 
the  house  of  half  its  new  coat." 

The  others  came  running  from  chicken-yard 
and  garden  ;  Celestia  Ann  poked  her  head  out 
of  the  kitchen  window,  and  a  peal  of  .aughter 
met  him  from  all  sides. 

"  I  dare  say  I  cut  quite  a  comical  figure," 
he  said,  taking  it  in  good  part,  "  but  since  I've 
broken  no  bones,  I  w  >uldn't  care  a  red  cent,  if 
it  wasn't  for  the  loss  of  the  paint  and  the  dam- 
age to  my  illegant  attire. 


MILDRED   KEITH.  '<J69 

" '  0  what  a  fall  was  there,  my  coautry- 
men.' " 

"  Since  you  are  nnhurt,  no  matter  for  the 
33othes;  even  if  they  were  an  elegant  suit," 
sa?d  his  mother,  with  a  sigh  of  relief. 

"  But  half  the  paint's  gone,  mother — or  at 
least  put  upon  my  person  where  it's  worse  than 
useless,"  cried  the  lad,  surveying  himself  with 
an  expression  so  comically  lugubrious  that  there 
was  a  fresh  explosion  of  mirth. 

"  Never  mind  ;  it  will  not  cost  a  great  deal 
to  replace  it,"  said  Mrs.  Keith.  "  But  I  think 
the  job  may  wait  now  till  we  can  get  a  regular 
house-painter  to  finish  it  up." 

"  What !  would  you  have  me  give  up  so 
easily,  mother,  and  own  myself  beaten  ?  I  don't 
like  to  do  it.  Please  let  me  try  again,  and  I'D 
place  the  ladder  more  carefully." 

"  I  don't  know ;  we'll  ask  your  father  first. 
There's  no  special  haste  and — how  wouid  you 
all  like  to  go  with  me  for  a  walk  ?  a  nice  long 
stroll  down  to  the  bridge,  and  over  the  river, 
to  look  for  wild  flowers." 

The  proposal  was  greeted  with  loud  accla 
nations  and  clapping  of  hands.  "  Oh,  de- 
lightful 1"  "  Oh  goodie  !  goodie !"  "  May  we, 
mother  ?r 

"  Yes ;  we've  all  been  working  hard  thi» 


4270  MILDRED   KEITH. 

long  time,  and  1  think  really  deserve  a  holiday 
Rupert,  make  yourself  decent  and  we'll  set  out 
at  once,  taking  a  hmch  with  us,  so  that  we  need 
not  hurry  home." 

"Tan  I  do,  mamma ?  tan  Annis  do?"  asked 
the  baby  girl  eagerly,  the  rosy  face  all  aglow 
with  delight. 

"  Yes,  indeed,  mother's  darling ;  you  shall 
go  in  your  little  coach  ;  because  your  dear  little 
feet  couldn't  travel  fast  enough  to  keep  up  with 
the  rest,  and  would  get  so  tired." 

"  Do  we  need  to  be  dressed  up,  mother  ?" 
asked  Fan,  "  me  and  Don  and  all  the  children  ?" 

"No,  dear;  we  don't  go  through  town  and 
are  dressed  quite  enough  for  the  woods." 

They  were  soon  on  the  way,  strolling  lei 
surely  along,  drinking  in  with  keen  enjoyment 
the  sweet  sights  and  sounds. 

The  sky  ovei  their  heads  was  of  a  dark 
celestial  blue  with  here  and  there  a  floating 
clond  of  snowy  whiteness,  whose  shadow  flitted 
over  the  landscape,  gi"ing  to  it  a  charming 
variety  of  light  and  shade. 

Their  road  lay  along  the  bank  of  the  rivei 
and  its  soft  murmur  mingled  with  the  hum  of 
insects  and  the  song  of  birds.  The  grass  be- 
neath their  feet  was  emerald  green  thickly 
studded  with  wild  flowers  of  every  hue,  and  the 


MILDRED    KEITH.  271 

groves  of  saplings  through  which  they  passed 
were  fast  donning  their  summer  robes. 

The  bridge  was  a  rough  wooden  structure 
half  a  mile  below  the  town  ;  quite  out  of  dan- 
ger of  crowding  the  houses  of  the  citizens  or 
doing  much  injury  to  the  custom  of  the  ferry. 

The  walk  was  a  longer  one  than  the  younger 
children  were  accustomed  to  take,  but  there 
was  no  occasion  for  haste — they  were  in  search 
of  rest  and  pleasure,  and  when  little  feet  grew 
weary,  mother  let  them  stop  and  amuse  them- 
selves with  making  wreaths  and  bouquets  of 
the  flowers  they  had  gathered,  or  by  throwing 
stones  into  the  river,  till  they  were  ready  to 
go  on  again. 

They  did  not  go  far  beyond  the  bridge  ; 
only  climbed  the  bank,  on  the  other  side 
picked  a  few  flowers  there,  ai  d  were  ready  to 
return. 


**  Yon  ore  meek  and  humble  mouth'd  ; 
Yon  sign  your  place  and  calling,  in  full  scorning, 
With  meekness  and  humility  ;  but  your  heart 
Is  cramm'd  with  arroganoy,  spleen,  and  pride." 

—  SHAKS.  HKTBT  VHIra 


"On,  what's  that?  what's  that?"  cried  B 
chorus  of  young  voices,  as  Mrs.  Keith  and  her 
little  troop,  returning  from  their  morning  stroll, 
stepped  into  the  front  porch  at  home. 

"What  indeed!"  echoed  the  mother,  as 
much  surprised  as  any  one  of  the  others.  "  It 
looks  very  like  a  box  of  goods  ;  but  where  could 
it  come  from  ?" 

"  Aunt  Wealthy,"  suggested  Mildred,  exam- 
ining  it  with  a  curious  eye. 

"  Ah,  so  you  have  come  back  at  last,  eh  f  ' 
said  Mr.  Keith  coming  out  with  a  smiling  face. 
"  That's  been  waiting  for  you  for  over  an  hour," 
consulting  his  watch.  "  Come  let's  have  din 
nor  and  then  we'll  see  what's  inside." 

*<  Is  it  ready  ?"  asked  Mrs.  Keith,  taking  ofl 
ier  bonnet. 


MILDRED    KEITH.  273 

"  Yes ;  barely  time  for  the  washing  of  smail 
hands  and  faces,"  he  said,  picking  up  Annis  and 
racing  off  to  the  nursery  with  her ;  for  so  they 
called  the  room  where  the  little  ones  slept  and 
were  dressed  and  undressed,  though  but  a  small 
part  of  the  day  was  ordinarily  spent  there. 

There  was  no  lingering  over  the  dinner 
table,  though  the  meal  was  a  good  one,  and  the 
children's  appetites  had  been  sufficiently  keen 
until  they  saw  the  box. 

They  ate  and  drank  with  dispatch,  taking 
time  for  but  little  talk  beyond  a  few  conjectures 
as  to  its  probable  contents. 

Father  and  mother  certainly  shared  their 
curiosity  and  eagerness  to  some  extent,  and  did 
not  keep  them  waiting  long. 

A  few  minutes'  work  with  the  hatchet  and 
the  lid  was  off. 

"  Just  newspapers  !"  cried  Don,  in  a  tone  of 
bitter  disappointment. 

"  Wait  a  bit,  laddie,"  laughed  Kupert. 

"  Something  else  under,  I  guess,"  said  Cyril, 
while  father,  mother  and  Mildred  made  haste  to 
lift  and  lay  aside  the  papers  for  further  perusal, 
for  newspapers  were  too  rare  in  those  days  tc 
be  despised,  even  though  some  weeks  old. 

"  Books  1  oh  delightful !" 

"  How  good  and  kind  in  her!" 
12* 


a  14  MIL JJ BED   KEITH. 

"  Now  we'll  have  a  feast !"  exclaimed  one 
»nd  another  in  varying  tones  of  gladness. 

"What are  they  ?  let  us  see,"  said  Mr.  Keith 
proceeding  to  lift  them  out  one  or  two  at  a  time 
and  with  a  glance  at  the  titles  on  the  backs, 
handing  them  to  wife,  son  or  daughter. 

"Cooper's  Naval  History  of  the  United 
States  !  There,  that  will  particularly  interest 
you,  Rupert. 

'*  And  here  are  his  novels,  which  mother  and 
Mildred  will  enjoy.  Scott's  works  also :  those 
for  older  folks  and  his  '  Tales  of  a  Grandfather' 
for  the  children.  Two  more  little  books— 
*  Anna  Ross,'  and  « Ruth  Lee/  " 

"  Oh,  they  look  pretty  1"  cried  Zillah  and 
Ada,  peeping  into  these  last. 

" '  Dunallan'  for  me  1  oh  how  glad  I  am  !" 
exclaimed  Mildred  the  next  instant. 

"  Here's  a  bundle,"  said  Mr.  Keith,  hand  • 
ing  it  out. 

<:  Remnants,  I  presume,"  his  wife  said  laugh- 
ingly, and  opening  it  found  her  surmise  correct. 

Groceries,  candies  and  toys  for  the  children, 
and  some  few  other  miscellaneous  articles  filled 
tip  the  rest  of  this  most  welcome  box. 

"Dear  old  auntie!  She  shouldn't  have 
wasted  so  much  of  her  money  on  us,"  Airs. 
Keith  said  with  tears  in  her  eyes,  as  she  glanced 


MILDRED  KEITH.  275 

over  a  note  pinned  to  a  dress  pattern  for  her- 
self.  "  But  she  says  she  has  enjoyed  it  intensely, 
and  I  know  that  is  so ;  for  giving,  especially  to 
us,  is  her  greatest  delight." 

"Yes,  there  never  was  a  more  generou* 
soul,"  assented  her  husband. 

"  Ah,  if  we  could  only  do  something  for  her 
in  return  1"  exclaimed  Mildred. 

"Yes,  indeed!  what  a  feast  she  has  pro- 
vided us!"  cried  Eupert,  taking  a  peep  here 
and  there  into  the  history.  "  Mother,  can't  we 
begin  on  them  this  afternoon  2" 

"I'm  not  ready  for  Mr.  Lord,"  objected 
Mildred,  "  and  in  an  hour  it  will  be  time  to  go 
to  him." 

That  reminded  the  lad  that  he,  too,had  a  lesson 
to  prepare,  and  he  left  the  room  to  attend  to  it. 

"Wife,"  said  Mr.  Keith,  "do  you  know 
that  little  Mary  Chetwood  is  seriously  id?" 

"  No,  I  did  not,  I'll  put  on  my  bonnet  and 
go  over  there  at  once." 

"  Mother,"  said  Mildred,  "  I've  been  think 
ing  it  would  be  nice  to  lend  one  of  these  books 
to  Effie  Prescott.  I  do  not  know  her  at  all  in- 
timately, but  Claudina  says  she  is  very  intelli- 
gent and  fond  of  reading,  and  in  such  pool 
health  that  she  is  often  too  miserably  weak  and 
ill  to  do  anything  but  read." 


276  MILDRED    KEITH. 

"  Certainly !  she  must  have  the  reading  oi 
every  book  in  the  house,  if  she  wishes,  and  will 
mt  abuse  them." 

"  Claudina  says  she  is  always  very  careful  oi 
those  she  lends  her,  and  very  glad  to  get  them. 
She's  a  lovely  Christian,  too,  and  very  patient 
under  her  trials." 

"  Yes ;  I  have  been  pleased  with  the  little  I 
have  seen  of  her.  I  believe  I  owe  Mrs.  Pres- 
cott  a  call ;  so  I  shall  take  their  house  on  my 
way  to  the  squire's  and  carry  a  book  with  me." 

Mrs.  Keith  found  Mrs.  Prescott  out,  the  in 
valid  girl  lying  back  in  a  large  rocking  chair, 
and  Damaris  Drybread  seated,  in  her  accus- 
tomed bolt  upright  fashion,  directly  opposite. 

At  sight  of  Mrs.  Keith,  Effie  started  up  in 
nervous  haste  and  trepidation,  to  offer  her 
hand  and  then  a  chair. 

"  Never  mind,  dear  child,  I  will  help  my- 
self," said  the  lady,  pressing  the  trembling 
hand  tenderly  in  hers.  "  How  are  you  to-day  ?" 

"  About  as  usual,  thank  you ;  which  i8 
neither  very  sick  nor  very  well,"  the  girl  an- 
swered with  a  faint  smile,  sinking  back  again, 
breathing  short  and  hard. 

"  Now  don't  talk  so ;  you  look  very  well," 
remarked  Miss  Drybread  in  a  cold,  hard  tone. 
"  Just  make  up  your  mind  that  there's  nothing 


MILDRED   KEITH.  277 

much  the  matter,  and  you're  not  going  to  give 
up  to  the  hypo,  and  ten  to  one  it  won't  be  long 
till  you  find  yourself  well  enough." 

Tears  sprang  to  Effie's  eyes,  for  she  was 
Doth  nervous  and  sensitive  to  the  last  degree. 

"  I  know  I  look  well,"  she  said.  "  I'm  not 
thin,  and  I  have  a  good  color ;  but  it's  often 
brightest  when  I  feel  the  worst.  And  I've 
tried  to  believe  my  sickness  was  all  imagina- 
tion, but  I  can't ;  it's  too  real." 

"  No,  Effie,  you  do  not  look  well,"  said  Mrs. 
Keith ;  "  that  brilliant  bloom  hardly  belongs 
to  health,  and  your  eyes  are  heavy,  your  coun 
tenance  is  distressed." 

"Of  course  she'll  wear  a  distressed  counte- 
nance as  long  as  she  imagines  she's  sick,"  ob- 
served the  schoolrna'am  severely.  "  And  you, 
Mrs.  Keith,  are  only  making  matters  worse  by 
talking  in  that  way." 

"  Not  so,"  said  the  sick  girl,  "  such  kind 
sympathy  does  me  good.  Oh,  thank  you  a 
thousand  times !"  as  Mrs.  Keith  put  "  Dunallan" 
into  her  hands.  "I  shall  enjoy  it  so  much, 
and  will  be  very  careful  of  it,  and  return  it 
foon.  1  read  it  years  ago  and  liked  it  ex- 
ceedingly, and  it  will  be  new  to  me  now 
Grace  Kennedy  is  such  a  sweet  writer  ;  what  a 
pity  she  died  so  early  I" 


278  MILDRED   KEITH. 

"  A  nove.  1"  sniffed  Damans.  "  If  you  are 
really  sick  you  oughtn't  to  read  anything  but 
the  Bible." 

"  The  teachings  of  this  book  are  so  fully  in 
accord  with  those  of  the  Scriptures,  that  I  can 
cot  think  it  will  hurt  her,"  said  Mrs.  Keith. 

"T  .ove  the  Bible,"  said  Effie,  "I  never 
could  do  without  it;  its  words  often  come  to 
me  when  I  am  sad  and  suffering  and  are 
*  sweeter  than  honey  and  the  honeycomb  ,'  but 
reading  other  good  books  seems  like  talking 
with  a  Christian  friend,  and  refreshes  me  in  the 
same  way." 

At  this  moment  Mrs.  Prescott  came  in  and 
greeting  the  two  callers  with  a  pleasant  "  Good 
afternoon,"  sat  down  to  chat  with  them. 

The  talk  presently  turned  upon  their  gar- 
dens, and  Mrs.  Prescott  invited  the  visitors  to 
vralk  out  and  look  at  hers. 

Mrs.  Keith  accepted  the  invitation,  but 
Miss  Drybread  said  she  would  just  sit  with 
Effie  till  they  came  back. 

'  Aren't  you  teaching  now,  Miss  Damans  I" 
asked  tho  girl,  as  the  others  left  the  room. 

"No,  I've  closed  my  school  for  a  couple  of 
Weeks  to  do  my  spring  sewing." 

"  It  was  kind  in  you  to  take  time  to  call  to 
see  me  when  you  are  always  so  busy." 


MILDRED    KEITH.  279 

"  I  tiy  to  attend  to  every  duty,"  retnrned 
the  schoolma'ara,  witli  a  sanctimonious  air  "  and 
I  felt  that  I  had  a  duty  to  perform  here  I've 
been  thinking  a  good  deal  about  you,  Effie  ; 
trying  to  find  out  why  your  afflictions  are  sent ; 
and  I've  concluded  that  it's  as  a  punishment 
for  your  sins,  and  that  when  you  repent  and 
reform,  your  health  will  be  better. 

"  You  know  Christians  (and  I  really  hope 
you're  one  ;  I  know  you  belong  to  the  church) 
won't  have  any  punishment  in  the  other  world  ; 
BO  they  have  to  take  it  in  this,  and  so,  as  I 
said,  I've  been  considering  about  you,  and  I 
think  if  you  thought  better  of  Brother  Smith 
and  enjoyed  his  sermons  and  prayers  and  talks 
in  the  meetin's,  'twould  be  better  for  you. 

"  He's  a  good  Christian  and  so  you'd  ought 
to  like  what  he  says,  and  be  his  friend  with 
other  folks  that  isn't  inclined  to  listen  to  him." 

"  He  may  be  a  Christian ;  I  hope  he  is," 
returned  Effie,  "  though  it  is  very  difficult  for 
me  to  realize  that  a  man  has  much  true  love  to 
Christ  and  for  souls,  when  his  tone  and  man- 
ner are  utterly  indifferent  and  business  like  (or 
perhaps  that  isn't  quite  the  right  word;  for 
men  generally  show  some  interest  in  their  busi- 
ness). 

*'  Besidee  it  requires  other  things  in  addition 


280  MILDRED   KEITH 

to  conversion  to  fit  a  man  for  teaching;  he 
tnus*  have  knowledge  and  the  ability  to  im- 
part it. 

"I  have  nothing  against  Mr.  Smith  person- 
ally, bnt  he  does  not  instruct  me,  does  not  give 
me  any  food  for  thought,  or  help  me  on  my  way 
to  heaven.  So  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  object  to  hav- 
ing him  become  my  pastor.  But  I  haven't  been 
going  about  slandering  him,  and  don't  know 
why  you  come  and  talk  to  me  in  this  way. 

"It  strikes  me,  too,  that  you  are  the 'last 
person  to  do  it — as  I  have  heard  you  say  far 
harder  things  of  other  ministers  than  ever  I've 
said  of  him." 

An  angry  flush  rose  in  the  sallow  cheek  of 
the  spinster  at  that. 

"  I've  tried  to  do  my  duty  always,"  she 
said,  bridling.  "  I've  never  indulged  in  any 
vanities  of  dress  ;  but  that's  been  one  of  your 
sins,  Effie  Prescott ;  bows  and  even  flowers  and 
feathers  on  your  bonnets,  and  knots  of  bright 
ribbon  at  your  throat  and  in  your  hair.  It'a 
sinful  and  you  may  depend  you'll  be  afflicted 
till  you'll  give  up  and  be  consistent  in  all 
things." 

"  I  know  better  than  you  can  tell  me,  that 
I  deserve  all  I  suffer  and  a  great  deal  more," 
said  the  girl  humbly,  tears  gathering  in  hei 


MILDRED   KEITH.  281 

eyes ;  "  but  for  all  that  I  don't  believe  you  are 
right.  You  are  a  Job's  comforter,  and  God  re- 
proved those  men  for  talking  so  to  him. 

"  And  don't  you  remember  what  Jesus  said 
ahout  trying  to  take  the  mote  out  of  your 
brother's  eye  while  there  is  a  beam  in  your  own  ?" 

"  I  see  it  s  time  for  me  to  go,"  said  Dama- 
ns, rising. 

She  .rtood  a  moment  looking  at  Effio,  her 
lips  compressed,  her  face  white  and  her  eyes 
ablaze  with  rage. 

"  The.ro.' s  no  Christian  spirit  about  you/'  she 
hissed,  "you  don't  like  faithful  dealing;  you 
don't  want  to  be  told  of  your  sins.  Very  well, 
Miss,  I  wash  my  hands  of  you  ;  I  shake  off  the 
dust  of  my  feet  against  you." 

And  with  arms  folded  on  her  breast  and 
head  erect,  she  stalked  out  of  the  house,  leaving 
the  invalid  girl  quivering  from  head  to  foot 
with  nervous  excitement  and  distress,  crying 
and  laughing  hysterically. 

"  Oh  dear !  oh  dear !"  she  sighed  to  herself. 
"I  haven't  behaved  in  a  Christian  manner;  I 
was  angry  at  what  she  said." 

Mrs.  Prescott  and  Mrs.  Keith  were  strolling 
in  from  the  garden,  chatting  pleasantly  of  theii 
domestic  affairs,  when  an  infant's  screams  were 
heard  coming  from  a  back  room. 


282  MILDRED   KEITH. 

•*  There,  my  baby  is  awake  and  calling  foj 
his  mother,"  said  Mrs.  Prescott.  "  Please  ex- 
cuse me  a  minute.  Just  step  into  the  parloi 
again  and  talk  with  Effie." 

Mrs.  Keith  complied  and  found  Effie  alone, 
lying  back  in  her  chair,  trembling,  flushed  and 
tearful. 

"  My  poor  child !  are  you  suffering  very 
much?"  she  asked,  bending  over  her  and 
smoothing  her  hair  with  a  caressing  motion. 

"No,  ma'am,  I'm  not  worse — only — it  waa 
something  that  Damaris  said  ;  and  that  I  didn't 
take  it  quite  as  I  ought. 

"  Oh,  Mrs.  Keith,  do  you  think  God  sends 
sickness  to  punish  us  for  our  sins  ?  and  that  my 
health  is  poor  because  I'm  more  wicked  than 
anybody  who  is  well  ?" 

"  Certainly  not.  I  have  excellent  health  as 
a  general  thing,  while  many  an  eminent  saint 
has  been  a  great  sufferer. 

"We  know  that  sin  brought  disease  and 
death  into  the  world  and  that  God  sometimes 
sends  afflictions  as  chastisements ;  but  to  his  own 
people  it  is  in  love  and  for  their  growth  in 
grace. 

" '  As  many  as  I  love,  I  rebuke  and  chasten  *, 
be  zealous  therefore  and  repent.'  '  Whom  the 
Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth,  and  scourgeth  every 


MILDRED  KE1TB  283 

«on  whom  he  receiveth.  If  ye  endure  chasten- 
ing, God  dealeth  with  you  as  with  sons/ 

"  Remembering  that,  would  you  wish  to 
escape  it  t" 

"  Oh  no,  no  !  But  oh,  it  makes  the  burden  sc 
much  heavier  to  think  that  it  is  because  He  is 
angry  with  me !" 

"  It  is  because  he  loves  you.  Do  not  look  at 
it  as  punishment,  but  as  discipline ;  as  the  cut- 
ting and  carving  which  are  necessary  to  bring 
out  the  beautiful  statue  from  the  shapeless  block 
of  marble,  or  to  change  the  diamond  in  the 
rough  to  the  brilliant  sparkling  gem. 

"As  to  the. idea  that  the  Christian  bears 
any  part  of  the  penalty  of  his  sins — atoning  for 
them  by  his  own  suffering,  or  his  works,  or  in 
any  other  way,  either  in  this  life  or  the  next, — 
it  is  totally  unscriptural.  *  For  Christ  is  the 
end  of  the  law  for  righteousness  to  every  one 
that  believeth.'  " 

44  O,  thank  you,  so  much,  so  very  much!' 
she  exclaimed,  looking  up  gratefully.  "  What 
wonderful  love  His  was,  and  who  would  not  be 
willing  to  bear  any  suffering  to  be  made  like 
unto  Him  ?" 

"  That  is  unquestionably  a  Christian  spirit,' 
said  Mrs.  Keith ;  "  none  but  those  who  have 
felt  the  burden  of  sin  and  learned  to  hungei 


284  MILDRED   KEITH 

and  thirst  after  righteousness  know  that  ardent 
desire  for  conformity  to  His  image." 

"  You  make  my  heart  glad !"  cried  the  girl. 
"  Damaris  just  told  me  there  was  no  Christian 
epirit  about  me ;  and  I'm  often  afraid  there 
isn't;  yet  I  do  love  Jesus  and  desire  His  love 
more  than  anything  else.  I  want  to  do  and 
suffer  all  His  holy  will !" 

Little  Mary  Chetwood,  a  sweet  child  of  six, 
was  the  only  daughter  except  Claudina,  and 
coming  after  some  half  dozen  boys,  naturally 
became,  from  the  first,  a  great  pet  and  darling, 
made  much  of  by  parents,  sister  and  brothers. 

Tet  she  was  not  a  spoiled  child ;  she  had 
been  taught  obedience,  religiously  trained,  and 
not  indulged  to  her  hurt. 

Love  and  wise  indulgence  do  no  harm,  but 
quite  the  contrary ;  while  harshness,  a  dearth 
of  affection,  and  undue  severity  have  ruined 
many  a  one  for  time  and  eternity. 

Mrs.  Keith  found  the  Chetwoods  a  dis- 
tressed household ;  for  though  the  little  girl  had 
been  but  two  days  ill,  such  was  the  violence  of 
the  attack  that  it  was  already  apparent  that 
there  was  small  hope  of  recovery. 

"  This  is  kind,"  whispered  Mrs.  Chetwood, 
pieasing  her  friend's  hand,  while  tears  coursed 
down  her  cheeks.  "The  darling  won't  be 


MILDRED   KEITH.  285 

tended  by  any  body  but  mother,  father  or  sis- 
ter,  but  your  very  presence  is  a  comfort." 

"I  should  have  been  here  sooner,  but  did 
not  know  of  her  illness  till  this  afternoon," 
Mrs.  Keith  responded  in  the  same  subdued 
key.  "  If  I  can  be  of  any  use,  I  will  take 
off  my  bonnet  and  stay ;  it  is  perfectly  con- 
venient." 

The  offer  was  gratefully  accepted,  a  note 
dispatched  to  Mildred,  entrusting  the  children 
at  home  to  her  care  till  such  time  as  her  mother 
could  be  of  no  more  service  at  the  squire's,  and 
Mrg.  Keith's  gentle  ministries  in  the  sick  room 
began. 

Her  quiet  movements,  her  though tfulness, 
qnick  comprehension  and  fertility  of  resource, 
made  her  invaluable  at  such  a  time. 

The  end  came  sooner  than  was  expected; 
day  was  just  breaking  when,  with  her  head 
on  the  bosom  of  her  who  gave  her  birth,  the 
little  one  gently  breathed  her  last. 

In  all  the  trying  scenes  that  followed,  Mr 
and  Mrs.  Keith  and  Mildred  were  most  kind, 
helpful  and  sympathizing,  and  the  ties  of  Chris- 
tian friendship  were  thus  more  closely  drawn 
than  ever  between  the  two  families. 

The  bereaved  family  found  their  home 
eadly  desolated,  but  there  was  no  murmuring 


S86 


MILDRED  KEITH. 


against  the  Hand  that  dealt  the  blow;  the 
language  of  their  hearts  was,  "  The  Lord 
gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away; 
blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord." 


"  Hail  I  independence,  hail !  heaven's  next  beat  gift, 
To  that  of  life,  and  an  immortal  soul." 

THOUSOK. 

"  There  is  strength, 

Deep  bedded  in  our  hearts,  of  which  we  reck 
But  little  till  the  shafts  of  heaven  have  piero'd 
Its  fragile  dwelling.    Must  not  earth  be  rent 
Before  her  gems  are  found  t" 

MBS.  Huuim. 

"BOOM!" 

The  loud  voice  of  the  cannon  rent  the  air 
with  sudden  shock  just  as  eager  waiting  eyes 
caught  the  first  glimpse  of  the  sun's  bright 
disc  peeping  above  the  eastern  horizon. 

The  sound  broke  suddenly  in  upon  many  a 
dream,  woke  many  a  sleeper. 

"  Independence  day !  the  glorious  Fourth, 
the  nation's  birthday,"  shouted  Cyril,  giving 
Don  a  kick,  then  springing  out  of  bed  and  hur- 
rying on  his  clothes. 

"  Oh !  oh  !  Fourth  of  July  !"  echoed 
following  suit.     "  I'm  so  glad,  'cause  now 
can  fire  our  crackers." 


288  MILDRED   KEITH. 

Their  clatter  and  another  shot  roused  Fan 
and  Annis  who  joined  in  the  rejoicing,  the  lat- 
ter calling  loudly  for  mother  or  Milly  to  coine 
and  dress  her. 

"No  more  hope  of  sleep,"  yawned  Mr 
Keith,  in  the  next  room  ;  "  so  we  may  as  well 
get  up." 

"  Yes,"  returned  his  wife,  "  I  wish  you 
would,  and  watch  over  the  children ; — see  that 
they  don't  burn  their  fingers  or  set  things  on 
fire. 

"  Yes,  Annis,  mother's  coming." 

Breakfast  was  prepared  amid  the  almost 
<$onstant  firing  of  crackers  and  childish  shouta 
of  exultation,  near  at  hand,  and  the  occasional 
booming  of  the  more  distant  cannon. 

The  young  folks  were  full  of  gayety  and 
excitement,  hurrahing,  singing  "  Hail  Colum- 
bia!" "Yankee  Doodle,"  and  "Star-spangled 
Banner." 

Kupert  came  in  a  little  late  to  breakfast, 
from  a  stroll  down  town,  and  reported  that  a 
wonderfully  large  flag-staff  had  been  planted  in 
front  of  the  court-house,  and  that  the  stars  and 
stripes  were  floating  from  its  top. 

The  Sunday  schools  were  to  unite  and 
march  in  procession  through  the  streets  of  the 
town,  then  separate,  and  each  school  betake  it 


MILDRED   KEITH.  289 

self  to  its  o^fn  church,  there  to  enjoy  a  little 
feast  prepared  by  the  parents  and  friends  of  the 
scholars. 

There  had  been  a  good  deal  of  baking  going 
on  in  Mrs.  Keith's  kitchen  the  day  before,  and 
shortly  after  breakfast  a  large  basket  was  packed 
with  delicacies  and  sent  to  the  church. 

Then  mother  and  Mildred  had  their  hands 
full  for  an  hour  or  so  in  dressing  the  children 
and  themselves  for  the  grand  occasion. 

They  made  a  goodly  show  as  they  issued 
from  the  gate  and  took  their  way  toward  the 
place  of  rendezvous  ;  the  girls  all  in  white  mus- 
lin and  blue  ribbons,  the  boys  in  their  neat 
Sunday  suits,  and  each  with  a  flower  or  tiny 
nosegay  in  his  button-hole. 

The  house  had  to  be  shut  up,  as  Celestia 
Ann  claimed  the  holiday,  but  was  left  in  its 
usual  neat  and  orderly  condition,  by  means  of 
early  rising  and  extra  exertion  on  the  part  of 
the  three  older  girls.  Otherwise  Mildred 
could  not  have  been  content  to  go ,  and  delay 
was  dangerous,  as  on  account  of  the  heat  of  the 
weather  the  procession  was  to  move  by  nine 
o'clock. 

The  whole  town  was  in  holiday  attire,  and 
everywhere  smiling  faces  were  seen. 

A  shower  in  the  night  had  laid  the  dust 
13 


290  MILDRED    KBITS. 

without  turning  it  to  mud,  and  the  Sunday 
echool  celebration  proved  quite  a  success. 

The  children  enjoyed  their  treat  of  cakes, 
candies  and  lemonade,  then  the  little  Keiths 
went  home,  tired  enough  to  be  glad  to  sit  down 
and  rest  while  father,  mother  and  Milly  told 
them  stories  of  other  Fourths  that  they  could 
remember. 

After  dinner  Mildred  went  to  call  on  her 
friend  Claudina,  carrying  with  her  another 
book  for  Effie  Prescott. 

"  Dunallan,"  had  been  returned  in  perfect 
•condition  and  with  a  little  note  of  thanks. 

Effie  met  Mildred  with  a  pleased  look,  a 
cheerful  greeting,  and  warm  thanks  for  the  book, 

"  I  am  so  glad  to  see  you !"  she  said,  "  and 
it  was  very  kind  in  you  to  come ;  for  I  am 
owing  you  a  call.  I  thought  I  should  have 
paid  it  long  ago,  but  there  are  so  many  days 
when  I  don't  feel  quite  equal  to  the  walk." 

"  You  do  walk  out  then  ?" 

"  Oh  yes  !  every  day  when  the  weather  is 
good.  That  is  part  of  the  cure.  But  I  can. 
not  walk  fast  or  far." 

:'I  hope  you  are  improving." 

"  Yes,  I  believe  so,  but  very  slowly.  I'm 
never  confined  to  bed,  but  never  ab.e  to  do 
much,  and  the  books  are  such  a  blessing." 


MILDRED   KEITH.  2'Jl 

From  that  they  fell  into  talk  about  books 
and  authors  and  were  mutually  pleased  to  find 
their  tastes  were  similar  as  regarded  literature, 
and  that  their  religious  views  accorded. 

It  was  the  beginning  of  a  friendship  which 
became  a  source  of  great  enjoyment  to  both. 

Effie  had  learned  to  love  Mrs.  Keith.  That 
drew  Mildred  toward  her ;  and  their  common 
faith  in  Christ  and  love  to  Him,  was  a  yet 
stronger  bond  of  union. 

They  regretted  that  they  had  been  so  long 
comparative  strangers,  and  Mildred  felt  well  re- 
warded for  the  kind  thoughtfulness  on  her  part, 
which  had  at  length  brought  them  together. 

But  leaving  Effie  to  the  perusal  of  the  book, 
ghe  walked  on  to  Squire  Chetwood's. 

Mrs.  Chetwood  and  Claudina,  in  their  deep 
mourning  dress,  sat  quietly  at  home,  with  no 
heart  to  join  in  the  mirth  and  jollity  going  on 
about  them  ;  yet  calm  and  resigned. 

"  Ah,"  sighed  the  mother,  tears  springing  to 
her  eyes,  as  the  joyous  shouts  of  children  pen&. 
trated  to  their  silent  room,  "  our  little  darling 
would  have  been  so  gay  and  happy  to  day  !  But 
why  do  I  say  that !  I  know  she  is  far,  far  hap- 
pier  in  that  blessed  land  than  she  could  evei 
possibly  have  been  here." 

('I   know  that,"  said    Claudina,   weeping. 


292  MILDRED   KEITH. 

"  and  I  do  rejoice  in  the  thought  of  her  blessed 
ness ;  but  oh,  the  house  is  so  dreary  and  deso- 
late without  her  !  O  Mildred,  how  rich  you  are 
with  four  sisters !" 

There  was  a  knock  at  the  street  door,  an- 
swered by  the  girl,  and  the  next  moment  Miss 
Drybread  walked  into  the  parlor  where  the 
ladies  were  sitting. 

She  was  courteously  received  and  invited  to 
take  a  seat;  which  she  did,  drawing  a  deep 
sigh. 

"  Are  you  well,  Miss  Damaris  ?"  asked  Mrs 
Chetwood. 

"  Yes ;  I'm  always  well ;  I  try  and  do  right, 
and  have  no  sick  fancies ;  am  never  troubled 
with  the  vapors.  I  hope  you're  well  ?" 

"  As  usual,  thank  you." 

"  You've  had  a  great  affliction." 

No  response,  for  the  torn  hearts  could  scarce 
endure  the  rude  touch  ;  her  tone  was  sc  cold 
and  hard. 

"  I  hope  you're  resigned,"  she  went  on. 
"  You  know  we  ought  to  be ;  especially  consid- 
ering that  we  deserve  all  our  troubles  and 
trials." 

"  I  trust  we  are,"  said  Mrs.  Chetwood,  "  we 
can  rejoice  in  her  happiness  while  we  weep  foi 
ourselves. 


MILDRED    KEITH.  293 

"  Don't  you  think  you  made  an  idol  of  that 
child  ?  I  think  you  did,  and  that  that  is  the 
reason  why  she  was  taken ;  for  God  won't  allow 
idols." 

"  We  loved  her  very  dearly,"  sobbed  the 
bereaved  mother,  "  but  I  do  not  think  we  made 
an  idol  of  her,  or  ever  indulged  her  to  her  hurt." 

"The  heart  is  deceitful,"  observed  the 
schoolma'am  with  emphasis,  "  and  putting  on 
mourning,  and  shedding  so  many  tears,  doesn't 
look  like  submission  and  resignation.  I  don't 
see  how  a  Christian  can  act  so." 

"  Wait  till  you  are  bereaved,"  replied  the 
mother,  sobs  almost  choking  her  utterance. 

"  And  remember  how  Jesus  wept  at  the 
tomb  of  Lazarus,  and  that  he  never  reproved  the 
Jews  for  putting  on  sackcloth  and  ashes  when 
mourning  for  their  dead,"  said  Mildred,  adding, 
in  her  uncontrollable  indignation,  "  I  think 
you  might  be  at  better  work,  Miss  Drybread, 
than  wrenching  the  hearts  of  these  bereaved 
ones  whom  Jesus  loves,  and  in  all  whose  afflic- 
tions He  is  afflicted." 

"  I'm  only  doing  my  duty,"  retorted  the 
spinster ;  "the  Bible  says  we  must  reprove  our 
brethren  and  not  suffer  sin  upon  them." 

"  It  says  '  Judge  not,  that  ye  be  not  judged 
They  are  the  words  of  Jesus  in  the  Sermon  on 


294  MILDRED   KEITH. 

the  Mount,  and  if  you  turn  to  the  passage  and 
read  on  a  little  further,  you  will  see  that  people 
who  try  to  pull  the  mote  out  ol  a  brother's  eye 
while  there  is  a  beam  in  their  own,  He  calls 
hypocrites." 

"  I  can  understand  an  insinuation  as  well  as 
the  next  one,"  said  Miss  Drybread,  rising  in 
vrrath,  "and  let  me  tell  you,  Miss,  that  I  con 
eider  you  the  most  impertinent  young  person  I 
ever  met. 

"  Good  afternoon,  Mrs.  ^nd  Miss  Chetwood  ; 
1  wish  you  joy  of  your  friend,"  and  she  swept 
from  the  room  and  toe  house,  before  the  aston- 
ished ladies  could  utter  a  word. 

"  What  a  disagreeable,  self-righteous  old 
hypocrite !"  cried  Mildred,  her  cheeks  flushed, 
her  eyes  flashing.  "  To  think  of  her  talking  to 
yon  in  that  cold-hearted,  cruel  manner,  Mrs. 
Chetwood  and  Claudina.  But  there!  I  am 
judging  her.  Oh  dear!  oh  dear!" 

She  finished  with  a  burst  of  sobs,  clasping  het 
arms  about  her  friend,  who  was  weeping  bitterly 

Mrs.  Chetwood,  too.  was  shedding  tears; 
but  presently  wiped  them  p.^ay,  eayirig,  "  "We 
will  try  to  forgive  and  for^y  her  harsh  words. 
I  trust  she  is  a  well-meaner,,  and  perhaps,  truly 
good  woman  ;  though  mistaken  as  to  her 
and  sadly  wanting  in  tact.*' 


MILDRED    KBITU  295 

On  her  way  home  Mildred  passed  Mr 
Lightcap  3.  She  usually  avoided  doing  so  by 
taking  th3  other  street ;  bnt  to-day  was  too  full 
of  grief  for  her  bereaved  friends,  to  care  which 
way  her  steps  were  tending  till  they  were  ar« 
rested  by  Mrs.  Lightcap's  voice,  speaking  from 
her  open  door. 

"  Why,  if  it  ain't  Miss  Keith  !  I  hain't  seen 
a  sight  o'  you  this  long  time.  Walk  in,  won't 
you  ?  and  sit  a  bit.  They've  all  run  off  some- 
wheres  and  left  me  settin'  here  without  a  soul 
to  speak  to,  and  I'm  dreadful  lonesome." 

Mildred  could  not  well  refuse  the  invitation, 
eo  stepped  in  and  took  a  seat. 

Her  first  feeling  on  becoming  aware  that 
Mrs.  Lightcap  was  addressing  her  was  one  of 
embarrassment  at  the  idea  of  facing  the  mother 
of  her  rejected  suitor ;  but  the  next  instant  she 
concluded  from  the  cordial  manner  of  her  neigh- 
bor, that  she  must  be  entirely  ignorant  of  the 
affair,  which  was  really  the  case;  Gotobed 
having  insisted  upon  Rhoda  Jane  keeping  his 
secret. 

Mildred  was  not  in  a  talking  mood,  but  Mrs 
Lightcap  grew  garrulous  over  the  day's  celebra- 
tion, the  heat  of  the  weather, — prophesying 
that  if  it  lasted  long,  coming  as  it  did  after  a 
very  rairy  sv  ig,  there  would  be  a  great  deal 


296  MILDRED  KEITH. 

of  eickness — branching  off  finally  to  her  house- 
work and  garden  ;  two  inexhaustible  themes 
with  her. 

An  occasional  yes,  or  no,  or  nod  of  acquies- 
cence, was  all  that  was  necessary  on  the  part  of 
her  listener ;  and  these  Mildred  could  supply 
without  giving  her  undivided  attention  to  the 
steady  flow  of  empty  talk. 

The  firing  of  the  cannon  at  short  intervals 
had  been  kept  up  all  day.  "  Boom  1"  it  came 
now,  causing  Mrs.  Lightcap  to  give  a  sudden 
Btart  and  break  off  in  the  middle  of  a  sentence. 

"  Well,  I  declare !  "  she  exclaimed,  "  I  can't 
git  used  to  that  there  firin' ;  and  I  jest  wisht 
they'd  stop  it ;  'fore  some  on  'em  gits  hurt.  It's 
a  dreadful  dangerous  thing — gunpowder  is,  and 
I  guess  there  ain't  never  a  Fourth  when  there 
don't  somebody  git  about  half  killed." 

"  Or  quite,"  said  Mildred ;  "  people  will 
be  so  careless ;  and  I  suppose  that  even  with 
the  greatest  care  there  must  be  some  danger, 
from  the  bursting  of  guns  and  other  accidents 
that  it  is,  perhaps,  impossible  to  guard  against." 

Mildred  sat  very  near  the  open  door,  Mrs. 
Lightcap  farther  within  the  room. 

"Well as  I  was  a  sayin',''  began  the  latter, 
resuming  the  thread  of  her  discourse. 

Some  one  came  running  without,  his  heavj 


MILDRED   KEITH.  297 

footsteps  resounding  upon  the  sidewalk.  It 
was  a  man.  He  paused  before  the  door,  book- 
ing pale  and  frightened,  and  beckoning  to  Mil- 
dred, said  in  a  low,  hurried  tone,  "  Just  step  thia 
iray  a  minute,  Miss,  I  want  to  speak  to  you." 

Hardly  comprehending,  too  much  taken  by 
surprise  even  to  wonder  what  he  could  want, 
she  hastily  complied. 

"  She  ought  to  be  prepared,  you  know,*'  he 
went  on  in  the  same  breathless,  agitated  man- 
ner, drawing  her  further  away  from  the  door  aa 
he  spoke  ;  "  he's  awfully  hurt,  a'most  killed,  I 
believe,  and  they're  bringin*  him  up  the  street 
now." 

"  Who  ?"  gasped  Mildred. 

"  Her  son  Gote ;  gun  went  off  while  he  was 
ramming  in  the  wadding  and  shot  the  ramrod 
right  through  his  hands ;  I  guess  they'll  both 
have  to  come  off." 

Mildred  staggered  back,  sick  and  faint,  and 
with  a  dazed  sort  of  feeling  that  she  was  some 
how  to  blame. 

"They're  coinin',"  repeated  the  man  hui> 
riedly,  pointing  to  a  little  crowd  of  men  and 
boys  moving  slowly  up  the  street,  scarcely  • 
square  away,  "  can't  you  say  something  to  her  I 
kind  o*  break  the  shock  a  little,  you  know." 

Mrs.  Lightest)  had  stepped  into  the  door 
13* 


298  MILDRED   KEITH. 

way  and  was  looking  this  ^  ay  and  that,  euriona 
to  learn  the  cause  of  Mildred's  sudden  exit. 

"  Why,  Jim  Foote,  is  that  you  ?"  she  ex- 
claimed.  "  What  on  airth  are  you  a  wantin' 
with  Miss  Keith  ?"  then  catching  sight  of  the 
approaching  crowd,  "  What's  goin'  on  ?"  she 
asked,  "  anything  the  matter  ?" 

Mildred  sprang  to  her  side,  and  fairly  push- 
ing her  back  into  the  house,  threw  her  arms 
about  her  sobbing,  "  Oh,  I'm  so  sorry  for  you  t 
so  sorry  !  Don't  look !  not  yet.  He — he's 
living  but—" 

"  Who  ?  who's  a  livin'  ?  who's  hurt  ?  Girl, 
tell  me  quick !  'Tain't  none  o*  mine,  sure  ? 
Taint  my  old  man  ?  Oh,  what'll  I  do  ?  what'll 
I  do?" 

The  trampling  of  many  feet  drew  near,  her 
husband  rushed  in,  pale,  breathless,  trembling, 
and  at  sight  of  her  burst  out  crying  like  a 
child.  Then  the  wounded  man  was  supported 
into  the  house,  men  and  boys,  and  even  women 
and  girls  crowding  in  after,  till  in  a  moment 
the  room  was  full. 

Rhoda  Jane  and  the  younger  brothers  and 
sisters  were  there,  screaming  and  crying.  Goto- 
bed  was  silent,  bearing  his  agony  with  the 
heroism  of  a  soldier,  but  as  his  mother  caught 
sight  of  his  ghastly  face,  hh  mangled  hands,  the 


MILDRED  KEITH  299 

blood  upon  his  person,  and  the  surgeon  with 
his  instruments,  she  uttered  a  wild  shriek  and 
fell  back  fainting. 

Her  husband  carried  her  into  the  kitchen, 
and  some  of  the  neighbor  women  gathered 
round  with  restoratives  and  whispered  words 
of  pity  and  condolence,  while  others  hurried 
back  and  forth  in  quest  of  such  articles  as  the 
surgeon  called  for. 

Rhoda  Jane  rushed  out  of  the  kitchen  door, 
and  ran  to  the  foot  of  the  garden,  screaming 
and  wringing  her  hands,  the  younger  ones  fol- 
lowing her. 

Mildred  could  not  go  away  and  leave  the 
family  in  their  dire  distress.  She  caught 
Gotobed's  eye,  and  there  was  in  it  a  dumb  en- 
treaty which  she  had  neither  power  nor  heart 
to  resist. 

Silently  she  made  her  way  to  his  side 
The  doctors  were  clearing  the  room  of  all  who 
were  not  needed. 

"  They're  a  goin'  to  take  off  my  right  hand," 
he  said  hoarsely.  "  It's  an  awful  thing,  but  if 
— if  you'll  stand  by  me  and  let  me  look  in  your 
eyes,  1  can  bear  it." 

She  turned  hers  on  the  surgeon — Lucilla 
Grange  s  father. 

"  Mav  I  ?" 


300  MILDRED    KEITH. 

'If  you  have  the  nerve,  my  dear  child  ;  it 
would  je  a  great  kindness  to  the  poor  fellow. 
There  ought  to  be  a  woman  near  him,  and  't 
seems  neither  mother  nor  sister  is  equal  to  it." 

"  I  will  stay,"  she  said,  a  great  compassion 
tilling  her  heart.  "  I  shall  not  look  at  what  you 
are  doing  ;  but  I  will  stand  by  and  fan  him." 

She  kept  her  word ;  forgetting  herself  en- 
tirely, thinking  of  him  only  as  one  suffering 
terrible  agony  and  in  need  of  her  support,  she 
stood  gazing  into  his  eyes,  her  heart  going  up 
in  silent,  fervent  prayer  on  his  behalf. 

Chloroform  and  ether  were  not  known  in 
those  days,  and  the  knife's  cruel  work  must  be 
borne  without  the  blessed  insensibility  to  pain 
that  they  can  give.  Had  the  magnetism  of 
Mildred's  gaze  a  like  effect  ?  I  know  not ;  but 
something  enabled  Gotobed  to  pass  through  the 
terrible  ordeal  without  a  groan  or  moan ;  almost 
without  flinching. 

The  right  hand  had  to  be  taken  off  at  the 
wrist ;  the  left,  though  much  mangled ,  the  sur- 
geon hoped  to  save ;  and  did  so  ultimately. 

The  amputation  and  the  dressing  of  the 
wounds  was  over  at  last  and  Mildred  was  turn- 
ing away  when  a  cup  of  tea  was  put  into  he* 
hind  with  the  words,  spoken  in  a  half  whisper, 
"  Give  him  this ;  he  will  take  it  from  you. ' 


MILDRED   KEITH.  301 

She  held  it  to  his  lips  and  he  drank ;  a  plate 
was  silently  substituted  for  the  cup  and  she  fed- 
him  like  a  child. 

Poor  fellow !  it  would  be  long  before  he 
could  feed  himself  again. 

Mildred  set  down  the  plate  and  stole  quickly 
from  the  house.  Her  long  pent  up  emotion 
must  find  vent. 

She  went  weeping  home,  her  heart  break- 
ing with  pity  for  the  man  she  could  not  love, 
could  not  have  married  for  the  wealth  of  the 
world.  Oh,  why  did  he  love  her  so  ? 

She  had  read  it  in  his  eyes ; — that  she  was 
more  to  him  than  all  the  world  beside,  and  that 
he  knew  his  was  a  hopeless  passion. 

She  was  glad  to  see  that  the  sun  was  set- 
ting ;  because  she  knew  from  the  lateness  of 
the  hour  that  tea  must  be  over  at  home,  and 
the  little  ones  in  bed;  for  she  dreaded  their 
questionings  and  curious  looks,  and  loathed 
the  thought  of  food. 

Her  mother.,  that  best  earthly  friend,  who 
always  understood  her  as  by  intuition,  met  her 
•t  the  door  and  clasped  her  in  a  tender,  loving 
embrace;  and  on  that  dear  bosom  the  whole 
sad  story  was  sobbed  out. 

"  Poor  poor  fellow !  my  heart  aches  for 
him,"  Mrs.  Keith  said,  mingling  her  tears  with 


302  MILDRED  KEITH. 

Mildred's.  "  And,  my  dear  child  I  am  very 
glad  you  had  the  courage  and  firmness  to  give 
him  the  help  you  did.  I  pity  him,  too,  for  his 
unfortunate  attachment,  at  the  same  time  that 
I,  of  course,  could  never,  never  be  willing  to 
eee  it  returned. 

"  But  your  courage  surprises  me,  I  doubl 
if  I  should  be  capable  of  the  like  myself,"  she 
added,  smiling  through  her  tears. 

"  I  know  you  would,  mother  dear,"  returned 
the  girl,  gazing  with  loving  admiration  into  her 
mother's  eyes ;  "  for  you  are  far  braver  and 
firmer  than  I.  I  should  not  have  expected  to 
be  able  to  do  it  myself,  but  we  never  know 
what  we  can  do  till  we  are  tried. 

"  I  am  sure  our  Father  helped  me  in  an- 
swer to  prayer,  and  according  to  his  gracious 
promise,  '  As  thy  days,  so  shall  thy  strength 
be,'  "  she  added  in  subdued,  tremulous  tones. 

"  I  do  not  doubt  it,"  said  Mrs.  Keith ;  foi 
« our  sufficiency  is  of  God.'  " 

Throughout  the  whole  town  great  sympa 
thy  was  felt  for  the  wounded  young  man 
People  showed  it  in  various  ways ;  by  inquiries 
made  of  the  doctor  or  at  the  door,  by  calling  in 
for  a  little  friendly  chat  and  sending  delicacies 
to  tempt  his  appetite  ;  which  for  a  time  failed 
undei  the  pressure  of  pain,  enforced  idleness 


MILDRED  KEITH  303 

(a  great  change  for  one  who  had  been  all  hia 
life  a  hard  worker)  and  depression  of  spirits ; 
for  there  were  seasons  when  he  was  well-nigh 
overwhelmed  at  the  thought  of  his  maimed  and 
helpless  condition. 

Mrs.  Keith  went  frequently  to  see  and 
comfort  him  and  his  distressed  mother,  and  was 
more  successful  in  so  doing  than  almost  any 
one  else ;  except  Mildred,  who  occasionally  ac- 
companied her. 

They  carried  to  Gotobed  food  for  the  mind 
as  well  as  the  body  ;  books  which  they  read  to 
him ;  as  he  could  not  hold  them  himself,  and 
the  other  members  of  the  family  had  little  time 
or  ability  to  entertain  him  in  that  way. 

Also  they  said  many  a  kind,  encouraging 
word  concerning  the  possibilities  of  future  use- 
fulness yet  remaining  to  him. 

"I  shall  never  be  good  for  nothing  no 
more,"  he  sighed,  mournfully,  one  day,  looking 
down  at  his  maimed  arm  and  wounded  hand  ; 
"  can  never  swing  my  hammer,  or  shoe  a  horse 
again.  I'll  have  to  be  a  helpless  burden  on 
other  folks,  'stead  o'  takin'  care  o'  father  and 
mother  when  they  git  old,  as  I  used  to  think  I 
should." 

"  I  don't  know  that,  Gotobed,"  Mrs.  Keith 
answered  cheerily;  *'I  think  God  has  giveo 


304  MILDRED    KEITH. 

you  a  good  mind,  and  that  you  will  gradually 
learn  to  do  a  great  deal  with  that  left  hand  ; 
write,  hold  a  book  and  turn  the  leaves,  and  so 
be  able  to  educate  yourself  for  usefulness  in 
some  new  line ;  perhaps  do  more  for  your 
parents  and  friends  than  you  ever  could  have 
done  with  your  hammer." 

A  light  broke  over  his  face  at  her  words, 
"  Oh !"  he  said  drawing  a  long  breath,  "  if  I 
thought  that  I  could  bear  it." 

"  I  think  you  are  bearing  it  bravely,"  she 
said. 

"  I'm  tryin'  my  best,"  he  sighed,  "  but  the 
Lord  only  knows  how  hard  it  is ;  'specially  when 
folks  comes  and  tells  you  it's  a  judgment  sent 
onto  you  for  your  sins." 

"  And  who  dares  to  tell  you  that  ?"  she 
cried,  flushing  with  indignation,  "  who  could  be 
*o  heartlessly  cruel  ?" 

"  Well,  Damaris  was  in  t'other  day.  She 
means  well  enough,  I  guess; — she  fetched 
something  she'd  cooked  up  for  me — but  she 
don't  seem  to  understand  a  feller  critter's  feel- 
in'a.  She  give  me  a  long  lecture ;  said  I'd 
been  dreadful  proud  o'  my  strength  and  what 
a  neat  job  I  could  make  o'  shoein'  a  horse  and 
the  like,  and  so  that  the  Lord  took  away  my 
liand  to  punish  me  and  fetch  me  down.  Do 


MILDRED   KEITH.  305 

yoo  think  'twas  that  way,  Mis'  Keith  ?  I  was 
thinkin'  'twas  my  own  carelessness  and  not  to 
be  blamed  on  Him  at  all.'* 

"It  strikes  me  that  you  are  very  nearly 
right  there,"  she  replied,  half  smiling  at  the 
earnest  simplicity  with  which  he  spoke.  "He 
is  very  merciful  and  gracious,  full  of  tender  pity 
and  compassion  for  the  creatures  He  ha?  made ; 
especially  those  who  are  peculiarly  His  own  be- 
cause they  have  accepted  of  the  salvation  offered 
through  Christ  Jesus ;  yet  He  does  not  always 
see  fit  to  save  them  from  the  consequences,  a& 
regards  this  life,  of  their  own  follies  and  sins." 

"  Carelessness  is  a  sin,"  he  said  with  a  heavy 
sigh.  "  I  didn't  use  to  think  so,  but  it's  plain 
enough  to  me  now.  And  do  you  think,  Mis' 
Keith,  He  feels  kind  o'  sorry  for  me  even 
though  'twas  my  own  fault  ?" 

"I  am  sure  of  it ;  and  that  He  will  give 
you  strength  to  bear  your  trouble  if  you  will 
ask  Him  ;  to  bear  it  bravely  and  not  let  it  spoil 
your  life  by  robbing  you  of  cheerfulness  and 
hope,  and  the  usefulness  you  may  attain  to  by 
a  determined,  manly  struggle  with  your  diffi- 
culties. 

"  There  is  a  pleasure  in  overcoming  difficul- 
ties," she  added  with  a  bright,  winning  smile,, 
that  was  like  a  ray  of  sunlight  to  his  saddened 


306 


MILDRED   KEITH. 


heart,  "a  pleasure  that  the  slothful  know 
nothing'  of." 

"I'll  try  it!"  he  said  with  determination. 
"God  helping  me,  I  will.  Bless  you,  Mis' 
Xeith,  fur  them  words.  "I'll  not  forget 'em." 


«  The  sad  vicissitudes  of  things." 

— STEKNE. 

"  MY  poor,  dear  friend,  would  that  I  could 
comfort  you  !"  Mrs.  Keith  said  in  tones  of  deep 
heartfelt  sympathy,  folding  her  arms  abont  Mrs. 
Chetwood  and  weeping  with  her ;  "  but  only 
Jesus  can  do  that  in  such  sorrow  as  yours." 

"  And  He  does,  else  I  should  die ;  for  oh  my 
arms  are  so  empty,  my  heart  and  home  so  deso- 
late !"  sobbed  the  bereaved  mother. 

"  I  know  it,  I  know  it  by  sad  experience ; 
for  I  too,  have  wept  over  the  grave  of  a  darling 
little  one." 

"  You  P*  Mrs.  Chetwood  said  with  a  look  oi 
surprise ;  "  you  have  so  many." 

"  Yes  ;  but  then  I  had  not  all  I  have  now 
Eva  was  between  Kupert  and  Zillah  and  would 
be  thirteen  now.  She  was  five  when  God  took 
her  to  himself." 

"  Ah,  you  do  know  how  to  feel  for  me  1" 


308  MILDRED    KEITH. 

"  Yes  •  and  let  me  tell  yon  how  I  was  com- 
forted. I  fear  I  was  not  quite  submissive  at 
first ;  but  a  dear  old  mother  in  Israel,  who  had 
several  times  passed  through  the  same  deep 
waters,  came  to  me  and  said  'My  dear,  the 
Lord  gave  you  quite  a  little  flock  and  when  He 
comes  and  asks  you  to  return  him  one,  and  you 
know  He  will  keep  it  so  safely  in  his  kind  arms 
and  on  his  tender  bosom,  will  you  refuse  ?  can 
you  not  spare  Him  one  ?' 

"  Then  my  heart  was  almost  broken  to  think 
I  had  been  so  churlish  toward  my  beloved  Mas- 
ter and  I  resigned  her  cheerfully  into  His  care, 
and  by  and  by  grew  happy  in  thinking  of  her, 
so  safe  from  all  sin  and  sorrow  and  pain,  so  full 
of  joy,  at  His  right  hand  ;  and  of  the  time  when 
my  work  shall  be  done  and  I  shall  go  to  her." 

Mrs.  Chetwood  thought  for  a  moment,  then 
turning  to  her  friend  with  eyes  brimful  of  tears, 
"  Thank  you,"  she  said,  "  your  words  have  done 
me  good.  Surely  I  too,  can  spare  Him  one. 
Had  He  taken  all,  what  right  could  I  have  to 
complain  ?  and  oh,  how  sweet  is  the  thought 
that  He  is  caring  so  tenderly  for  my  precious 
uimbkin  I" 

The  mothers  mingled  their  tears  again  for  a 
little,  tears  of  blended  grief  and  joy  ;  then  Mrs. 
Chetwood  said  "  What  else  dear  friend  !  I  seem 


MILDRED    KEITH.  309 

to  read  in  your  eyes  that  you  have  something 
more  to  say  to  me." 

"  Only  this,  suggested  to  me  by  the  same 
old  Christian  soldier  and  confirmed  by  my  own 
experience ;  that  efforts  to  comfort  others  react 
upon  ourselves,  so  proving  the  best  panacea  for 
our  own  sorrow." 

"  I  believe  it,  am  conscience-smitten  that  1 
have  been  so  selfishly  wrapped  up  in  my  own 
grief,  and  shall  set  about  the  work  at  once. 
Will  you  do  me  the  favor  to  suggest  where  I 
shall  begin  ?" 

Mrs.  Keith  spoke  of  Gotobed  and  the  sort  ol 
comfort  and  assistance  of  which  he  stood  in 
need. 

Mrs.    Chetwood   shuddered.     "  Poor,  poor 
fellow!"  she  said;  "my  heart  aches  for  him. 
I  feel  sick  at  the  very  thought  of  seeing  any  one 
in  that  mutilated  condition,  but  I  will  go  to  him 
and  do  what  I  can  for  his  comfort  and  relief.' 
"  Thank  you,"  returned  Mrs.  Keith  heartily 
"'  And  speak  comfortingly  to  the  poor  mother. 
>^he  is  grieving  very  much  for  him,  and  does 
.\ot  look  well.     One  of  the  little  girls,  too,  is 
•uite  ill  with  intermittent  fever." 

It  was  well  that  Mrs.  Keith  had  engaged 
ter  friend  to  take  up  the  labor  of  love,  for  it 
\SJB  long  before  she  herself  could  resume  it, 


310  MILDRED  KEITH. 

On  reaching  home  she  found  Mildred  sitting 
with  Annis  in  her  arms,  the  little  creature 
moaning  with  pain  and  in  a  high  fever. 

"  Mother,  she  is  very  sick/'  whispered  Mil- 
dred tremulously,  her  eyes  full  of  tears ;  for  she 
was  thinking  of  how  suddenly  Mary  Chetwood 
had  been  snatched  away  by  the  grim  destroyer 
Death. 

"  I  fear  she  is,  poor  darling !  poor  little  pet !" 
the  mother  said,  bending  over  her  and  softly 
pressing  her  lips  to  the  burning  cheek. 

"  O  mother,  mother,  if  we  should  lose  her !' 

"  We  will  do  all  we  can  to  make  her  well, 
asking  God's  blessing  on  our  efforts,"  Mrs. 
Keith  answered  with  determined  cheerfulness, 
though  a  sharp  pang  shot  through  her  heart  at 
the  bare  suggestion. 

Dr.  Grange  was  sent  for  at  once.  He  pro- 
nounced the  child  very  ill,  but  by  no  meant 
hopelessly  so. 

"  The  sickly  season,''  he  remarked,  "  is  set- 
ting in  unusually  early  and  with  uncommon 
severity,  both  in  town  and  country  ;  people  are 
taken  down  with  the  fever  every  day.  But  it 
is  what  I  have  been  expecting  as  the  result  of 
the  long  heavy  rains  we  had  all  through  the 
spring,  succeeded  by  this  intensely  hot,  dry 
weather.  Why  we  haven't  had  a  drop  of  rain 


MILDRED   KEITH.  311 

now,  scarcely  a  cloud,  for  three  weeks;  the 
heavens  above  us  are  as  brass,  and  the  marshes 
and  pools  of  stagnant  water  on  every  side  are 
teeming  with  miasma. 

f<  Keep  the  children  and  yourselves  out  of 
the  sun  during  the  heat  of  the  day,  and  do  not 
on  any  account  allow  them  to  be  exposed  to 
the  night  air  and  dew." 

"  Thank  you  for  your  suggestions,"  said 
M^.  Keith,  "we  will  do  our  best  to  follow 
thorn." 

He  had  just  come  home  from  his  office ;  for 
it  was  near  tea-time.  The  children  too  had 
come  in  from  their  work  or  play,  and  the  whole 
family  were  gathered  in  the  sitting- room,  where 
the  baby  girl  lay  in  her  cradle,  mother  and  sis- 
ter hanging  over  her  in  tender  solicitude. 

Fan  had  climbed  her  father's  knee  and  was 
lying  very  quiet  in  his  arms  with  her  head  on 
his  shoulder. 

The  doctor  taking  his  hat  to  go,  paused  as 
his  eye  fell  on  her,  and  stepping  quickly  to  her 
side,  took  her  hand  in  his. 

"This  child  is  sick  too,"  he  eaid,  and  went 
on  to  question  and  prescribe  for  her,  directing 
that  she  should  be  put  to  bed  at  once. 

"Oh,"  sighed  Mildred,  "if  we  only  had 
Aunt  Wealthy  here  1" 


312  MILDRED   KEITH. 

*  I  wish  you  had,"  the  doctor  said  ;  "  but 
the  neighbors  here  are  always  very  kind  in 
times  of  sickness." 

"  Yes ;  we  have  had  experience  of  that  in 
the  past,"  replied  Mrs.  Keith. 

The  doctor  called  on  Mrs.  Chetwood  and 
Mrs.  Prior  on  his  homeward  way,  and  within 
an  hour  both  were  at  Mr.  Keith's  offering  their 
services  in  nursing  or  any  thing  else  that  was 
needed. 

"You  are  very  kind,"  Mrs.  Keith  said, 
"  but  I  think  we  can  manage  for  a  while,  and 
that  you  should  save  your  strength  for  those 
who  need  it  more." 

The  little  ones  objected  to  being  waited 
npon  by  strangers,  and  Celestia  Ann  insisted 
that  she  wanted  no  help  with  her  housework 
or  cooking ;  so  the  ladies  departed  after  exact- 
ing a  promise  that  they  should  be  sent  for  if 
needed. 

That  time  came  soon  ;  before  the  crisis  was 
passed  with  Annis  and  Fan,  three  more  of  the 
children,  Zillah,  Cyril,  and  Don,  were  taken 
down ;  then  the  father ;  and  oh,  what  a  weary 
burden  of  care,  anxiety,  toil  and  grief  fell  upon 
the  mother  and  sister!  They  had  sore  need 
DOW  of  all  the  faith,  patience  and  hope  they 
had  garnered  up  in  happier  days;  of  all  the 


MILDRED   KEITH.  313 

great  and  precious  promises  they  had  learned 
to  lean  upon. 

Rupert  was  slowly  dressing  himself  one 
August  morning,  feeling  weak  and  ill,  when  hi§ 
mother's  pale,  sorrowful  face  looked  in  at  his  door 

He  tried  to  brighten  up  and  seem  strong 
and  well  as  he  turned  to  meet  her,  asking, 
tl How  are  yo«,  mother  dear?  and  the  sick 
ones  ?  I  hope  you  all  slept." 

"  Not  much,"  she  said,  vainly  striving  after 
the  accustomed  cheery  tone.  "  Annis  and  Fan 
did  pretty  well  (oh,  I  am  thankful  that  the 
doctor  considers  them  out  of  danger  now,  if  we 
can  only  give  them  the  good  nursing  they 
need,)  but  poor  CjTril  is  quite  delirious,  very, 
very  sick,  I  fear,  and  Zillah  not  much  better. 
Besides — "  but  here  her  voice  broke,  and  for  a 
moment  she  was  unable  to  go  on. 

"  O  mother,  not  another  one  down  ?"  he 
cried,  "  You  and  Mildred  will  be  killed  with 
so  much  nursing." 

"  Rupert,  it  is  your  father  now,"  she  sobbed. 

*  He  tries  to  makes  us  believe  it  is  not  much; 
that  he'll  sleep  it  off  in  an  hour  or  so,  but  oh,  I 
can  see  that  he's  very  sick." 

"  My  father  very  sick,"  he  echoed,  aghast ; 

*  poor  father !  and  you  must  lose  his  help  with 
tLe  others,  and  have  him  to  nurse,  too !" 

14 


814  MILDRED   KEITH 

"  That  is  not  the  worst  of  it.  He  is  suffer- 
ing and  perhaps  in  danger.  Celestia  Ann  haa 
breakfast  nearly  ready.  I  want  you  to  eat  at 
once  then  go  for  the  doctor  (ht  did  not  coma 
last  night)  and  call  and  tell  Mrs.  Chetwood  and 
Mrs.  Prior  what  a  sick  household  we  are  and 
that  now  if  they  can  give  me  help  in  nursing, 
I  shall  be  very  glad  and  thankful." 

Mrs.  Keith  passed  on  into  the  kitchen. 

"  Breakfast's  on  table,"  said  Celestia  Ann. 
"  You  just  sit  down  and  eat,  Mis'  Keith ;  fur 
yon  look  ready  to  drop.  I'll  pour  you  out  a 
cup  o*  coffee,  and  then  run  in  and  look  after 
the  sick  till  you're  done." 

«  Thank  you,"  Mrs.  Keith  said,  "  though  I 
have  no  desire  for  food,  I  will  accept  your  offer, 
for  I  do  feel  faint  and  empty.  Tell  Mildred  to 
come  too,  as  soon  as  she  can  be  spared." 

Kupert  and  Ada  came  in  together  at  that 
moment  and  took  meir  places  at  the  table. 

"Only  three  of  us  this  morning,  'stead  of 
ten,"  Ada  remarked  sadly. 

"  Well,  we'll  hope  the  others  will  all  be  back 
soon  ;"  said  Rupert,  longing  to  comfort  and 
aheer  his  mother. 

His  head  ached  and  chills  were  creeping 
down  his  back,  but  he  said  nothing  about  it, 
drank  his  coffee,  forced  himself  to  eat  a  little, 


MILDRED   KEITH.  315 

and  presently  declaring  himself  done,  put  on 
his  hat  and  hurried  away  on  his  errand, 

It  was  now  a  fortnight  since  Annis  had 
been  taken  ill  and  not  a  drop  of  rain  had  fallen 
yet.  The  nights  and  mornings  were  chilly  and 
damp,  then  the  sun  rose  and  shone  all  day  with 
a  fierce,  burning  heat  that  scorched  everything 
it  touched  ;  and  day  by  day  the  fever  had  found 
new  victims  till  every  physician's  hands  were 
full  to  overflowing. 

"  How  chilly  it  is  I"  thought  Rupert,  as  he 
nastened  down  the  path  to  the  gate,  "but  it'll 
be  hot  enough  presently,"  he  added,  looking  up 
at  the  sky ;  "  not  a  cloud  to  be  seen,  and  the  sun 
will  be  glaring  down  on  us  as  fiercely  as  ever. 
I  think  if  there  isn't  some  change  soon  we'll  all 
eicken  and  die." 

He  walked  on  up  the  street.     Doors 
windows  were  closed  ;  scarcely  any  one  s«-~      d 
astir. 

"They're  sleeping  late,"  he  thought 
•'Well  who  can  blame  them?  they're  eithei 
sick  themselves  or  worn  out  taking  care  of  the 
sick." 

He  came  first  to  the  hotel.  Mrs.  Prior  WM 
very  busy  getting  breakfast,  but  stepped  to  the 
door  to  hear  his  message. 

« I'm  dreadful  sorry ;"  she  said,  "  and  I'll 


316  MILDRED  KEITH. 

call  round,  tell  your  mother,  just  as  soon  as  i 
can  ;  but  I've  half  a  dozen  boarders  down  with 
the  fever,  and  only  one  girl ;  the  rest's  all  gone 
off  to  'tend  to  their  own  folks;  for  the  fever't 
bad  all  round  in  the  country ;  and  between 
them  and  the  town  folks  the  doctors  is  goin' 
night  and  day." 

\  "I  don't  see  how  you  can  come  at  all  then, 
Mrs.  Prior,"  Rupert  said,  "  I  should  think  your 
hands  must  be  more  than  full  here  at  home." 

"  I'll  come  if  I  can,  you  may  depend,"  she 
answered,  "  for  I  think  a  sight  of  your  mother." 

The  boy  sighed  heavily  as  he  turned  and 
•went  on  his  way.  How  much  of  the  brightness 
seemed  to  have  gone  out  of  life  just  then. 

Dr.  Grange's  house  was  a  few  steps  furthei 
on.  An  old  lady,  the  doctor's  mother,  an 
awered  his  knock. 

"  The  doctor  is  in  bed  and  asleep  just  now,7' 
she  said.  "  He  has  had  very  little  rest  for  the 
last  three  weeks,  was  up  all  night  out  in  the 
country,  and  came  home  with  a  heavy  chill 
And  the  rest  of  the  family  are  all  down  with 
the  fever  except  myself  and  little  five  year  old 
Ellen." 

"  What  are  we  coming  to  !"  exclaimed  the 
lad. 

"  1  don't  know,"  she  arswered  :  "but  God 


MILDRED   KEITH.  317 

is  our  refuge  and  strength  ;  a  very  present  help 
in  trouble !'  " 

"  I  do  not  know  what  to  do,"  said  Rupert, 
looking  sadly  perplexed  and  anxious ;  "  mother 
says  my  father  and  Cyril  are  both  very  ill." 

"  I  will  tell  the  doctor  when  he  wakes,  and 
perhaps  he  will  be  able  to  go  down.  It  would 
hardly  be  worth  while  to  send  you  for  another, 
for  they're  all  equally  busy." 

"  Thank  you,"  he  said,  "  we  would  not  like 
to  have  to  try  another,"  and  bidding  her  good 
morning,  he  went  on  his  way  to  the  Squire's. 

Mrs.  Chetwood  put  on  her  bonnet  at  once 
and  went  with  him. 

"  Claudina  would  come  too,"  she  said,  "  but 
two  of  the  boys  are  sick,  and  I'm  afraid  she  is 
taking  the  fever  heraelf." 

"  It  seems  as  if  everybody  is  taking  it,"  said 
Rupert.  "  Mrs.  Chetwood,  is  it  often  so  sickly 
here?" 

"  Never  was  known  to  be  quite  so  bad  be- 
fore," she  answered  ;  "  they  say  the  oldest  in- 
habitant doesn't  remember  such  a  time.  Do 
you  notice  how  quiet  and  empty  the  streete 
ire?" 

"  Yes,  ma'am ;  people  seem  to  be  very  late 
in  getting  up.  The  stores  are  all  shut  up  still.'1 

"  There's  no  business  doing  at  all,"  she  re- 


818  mLDRED   KEITH. 

turned,  "and  people  are  not  up  because  they're 
ill ;  too  ill,  most  of  them,  to  leave  their  beds. 

"  There  are  not  many  houses  in  town  where 
more  than  one  or  two  are  able  to  crawl  about 
to  help  themselves  or  wait  on  the  sick. 

"  And  Dr.  Grange  tells  me  it  is  just  as  bad  in 
the  country.  The  harvest  is  uncommonly  fine, 
but  there's  nobody  to  gather  it  in ;  there  are 
loads  of  wild  berries  ripe  on  the  bushes,  but 
nobody  able  to  pick  them. 

"  Emmaretta  Lightcap  died  yesterday  ;  I  was 
there  last  night  and  helped  to  lay  her  out.  AP 
the  rest  of  the  family  are  in  bed  with  the  fever, 
except  poor  Gotobed  and  his  mother. 

"  Oh,  it's  a  sorrowful  time  !  Effie  and  one 
or  two  of  the  little  ones  are  sick  at  Mr.  Pres- 
cott's,  and  in  the  next  house  not  one  of  the 
family  is  able  to  be  out  of  bed." 

Mr.  Keith  was  quite  as  ill  as  his  wife  feared. 

She  devoted  herself  principally  to  him, 
while  Mrs.  Chetwood  and  Mildred  together 
nursed  the  others. 

Rupert  had  had  a  chili  and  fever  followed 
In  due  season ;  but  he  managed  to  keep  up  and 
to  conceal  his  illness  from  all  but  Celestia  Ann, 
who  did  the  best  she  could  for  him. 

Mrs.  Prior  came  in  for  an  hour  in  the  after 
noon,  and  taking  Mildred's  place  enabled  her  to 


MILDRED   KEITH.  319 

'ie  down  for  a  little  greatly  needed  rest  and 
aieep. 

Mrs.  Chetwood  spent  the  day  and  nigh 
with  them,  but  then  went  home  to  return  nc 
more,  her  own  family  being  no  longer  able  to 
dispense  with  her  oare  and  nursing. 

Zillah  was  slightly  better  that  morning,  but 
Mr.  Keith,  Cyril  and  Don  were  all  delirious 
and  so  evidently  in  danger  that  the  hearts  oi 
mother  and  sister  were  very  heavy. 

Mrs.  Keith  scarcely  left  her  husband's  bed 
side  except  occasionally  to  pass  into  the  next 
room  and  bend  for  a  moment  over  her  little 
boys,  to  take  Annis  or  Fan  in  her  arms  to 
caress,  and  reluctantly  put  them  down  again,  and 
to  whisper  a  word  of  hope  and  encouragement 
to  Mildred,  the  other  little  girls  and  Rupert. 

Celestia  Ann  had  full  sway  in  the  kitchen, 
and  with  genuine  kindness  of  heart  took  charge 
of  the  rest  of  the  house,  so  far  as  she  could,  and 
prepared  delicacies  for  the  sick. 

She  was  a  great  help  in  looking  after  the 
convalescing,  had  always  a  cheery  word  ready 
for  the  weary,  anxious  nurses,  and  in  short 
proved  herself  invaluable  in  this  great  emer- 
gency. 

"What  then  was  their  distress  and  despair 
when  they  found  they  must  lose  her. 


320  MILDRED    KEITH. 

Glancing  from  the  window  on  the  'morning 
of  the  second  day  after  that  which  Mrs.  Chet- 
wood  had  spent  with  them,  Mildred  saw  a 
Countryman  passing  round  toward  the  kitchen, 
and  in  a  moment  after  his  voice  and  Celestia 
Ann's  could  be  heard  in  earnest  colloquy,  the 
latter  interrupted  by  heavy  sobs. 

Then  she  appeared  at  the  door  of  the 
nursery  with  her  apron  to  her  eyes  and 
silently  beckoned  to  Mildred. 

"  What  is  it  ?''  the  latter  asked  going  to  her. 

"  Why  my  brother's  come  to  fetch  me  home, 
and  I'll  have  to  go,  bad  as  I  hate  to  leave  you  ; 
for  if  I  do  say  it  that  shouldn't,  I  don't  see  how 
you're  agoin'  to  git  along  without  me." 

"  Nor  I,"  said  Mildred,  aghast.  "  O,  Celes- 
tia Ann,  must  you  go  ?" 

"  Yes  ;  can't  help  it ;  for  they're  all  down 
with  the  fever,  'cept  mother  (and  she's  poorly) 
and  this  brother  that's  come  after  me ;  and  he's 
got  a  chill  on  him  now.  So  I'll  have  to  pick 
up  my  duds  and  be  off  right  away." 

"  Yes,  of  course  you  must  go  to  your  own 
when  they  need  you,"  said  Mildred  ;  "  unless 
they  could  get  some  one  else.  O,  Celestia  Ann, 
don't  you  think  it  possible  they  could?" 

"No;  I  know  they  can't,  Miss  Mildred; 
there's  no  help  to  be  got  these  days  for  love  or 


MILDRED   KEITH.  321 

oioney ;  and  the  Lord  only  knows  what's  to  be- 
some  of  us  all ! 

"  Sam  says  there's  seveial  died  in  our  neigh- 
borhood a'readj7,  just  for  want  o'  good  nussin 
and  proper  victuals ;  so  the  doctor  says." 

"  And  just  so  it  will  be  with  us,"  sobbed  Mil  - 
dred  sinking  into  a  chair  and  covering  her  face 
with  her  hands.  "  I  cannot  nurse  them  all  prop- 
erly, and  cook  what  they  need  to  eat ;  and  oh,  it  ia 
so  terrible  to  think  they  must  die  for  want  of  it." 

"It's  awful,  and  I'm  dreadful  sorry  for  you 
and  everybody,"  sighed  Celestia  Ann,  wiping 
away  the  tears  that  were  streaming  over  her 
cheeks.  "  Maybe  you  might  git  Mis'  Kood  to 
come  in  for  a  few  days.  I'll  git  Sam  to  go  and 
see  while  I'm  a  pickin'  up  my  things. 

"  She  ain't  much  for  cookin'  I  don't  sup- 
pose, but  she  could  clean  up  and  do  that  big 
washin',  and  help  a  liftin'  the  sick  ones.  That 
is  if  she'll  come ;  but  I  dunno  but  she  may  be 
down  sick  herself." 

Sam  kindly  undertook  the  errand,  but  alas, 
Mrs.  Kood  was  "  down  sick  herself,"  and  no 
help  could  be  had  from  that  quarter,  nor  appa. 
rently,  from  any  other ;  and  with  many  tears 
Celestia  Ann  took  her  departure,  saying,  "  I'll 
come  back  as  soon  as  I  kin,  if  I  keep  well,  and 
iny  folks  gits  able  to  do  without  me  " 
14* 


er 


"  Calamity  is  man's  true  touch  stope." 

IT  was  to  Mildred  Celestia  Ann's  parting 
words  were  spoken,  Mildred  sitting  in  dumb 
despair  beside  the  bed,  where  Cyril  and  Don 
lay  tossing  and  moaning  in  a  burning  fever. 
Her  heart  sank  like  lead  in  her  bosom,  as  she 
listened  to  the  rumbling  of  the  wheels  of  the 
wagon  that  was  bearing  away  her  late  efficient 
helper.  "  What  could  they  do  without  her  ?" 

A  quiet  step  crossed  the  room,  a  soft  hand 
was  laid  caressingly  on  Mildred's  bowed  head, 
and  looking  up  she  saw  her  mother's  sweet,  palo 
face  bending  over  her  ;  a  worn  and  weary  face, 
but  with  a  strange  peacefulness  shining  through 
its  care  and  sorrow. 

"  O  mother,  mother,  whatever  shall  we  do  \n 
cried  the  girl  in  a  broken  whisper,  and  with  a 
burst  of  tears. 

Mrs.  Keith  had  a  small  Bible  in  her  hand, 
her  finger  between  the  leaves.  She  laid  it  open 
before  Mildred,  pointed  to  a  passage  in  the 


MILDRED   KEITH.  32a 

sixty-second  psalm,  and  just  touching  her  lipg 
to  her  daughter's  forehead,  turned  away  to  the- 
little  sufferers  on  the  bed. 

"Mother's  darlings!  mother's  poor  little 
men  1  Try  to  be  very  patient  and  good  like  the 
dear  Lord  Jesus  when  he  was  in  pain,  and 
mother  hopes  you  will  soon  be  well  again. 
She  is  asking  Jesus  to  make  you  well." 

"  I  wish  he  would,"  moaned  Cyril,  while 
Don  uttered  some  incoherent  words,  showing 
that  his  mind  wandered. 

"  I'se  better,  mamma,"  piped  the  baby  voice 
of  Annis  from  another  bed.  "  Fan  and  me's 
better.  I  dess  Dod  will  make  us  well,  'tause 
we  asked  him  to." 

"  Yes,  mother,  don't  fret  about  us,"  joined 
in  Fan  and  Zillah  patiently. 

She  went  over  and  kissed  all  three,  calling 
them  "  dear  good  children,"  then  passed  on  into 
the  kitchen. 

Rupert  was  there  trying  to  make  a  custard ; 
Ada  washing  dishes. 

"  You  see  you're  not  entirely  without  help 
in  this  department  yet,  mother,"  the  lad  said 
laughingly. 

"  No,"  she  answered  with  a  smile  that  he 
felt  was  ample  reward  for  his  efforts  •  "  how 
are  you  succeeding  ?" 


324  MILDRED   KEITH. 

"  Bravely ;  at  least  it  looks  nice.  Please 
3ome  and  tell  me  if  'tis  ready  to  be  taken  off." 

"  It  will  be  in  a  moment.  Run  out  and  get 
me  a  handful  of  leaves  from  that  young  peach 
tree,  to  flavor  it  with." 

He  obeyed,  she  stirring  the  custard  and  com- 
mending  Ada's  industry,  while  he  was  gone. 

"  Here  they  are,  mother;  is  this  enough  I" 
fie  asked,  coming  back. 

"  Quite,"  she  said  taking  them  from  him ; 
hen  as  her  hand  touched  his,  "  Rupert,"  she 
cried  with  anguish  in  her  tones,  "  you  are  sick ! 
burning  up  with  fever  !" 

"  Heated  over  the  stove,  mother,"  he  said, 
trying  to  laugh  it  off,  as  he  lifted  the  kettle 
from  the  fire  and  poured  its  contents  into  a 
bowl. 

"  No,  I  am  not  to  be  deceived,"  she  answered 
in  a  choking  voice,  "  you  ought  to  be  in  bed 
now." 

He  shook  his  head.  "Somebody  must 
keep  up  ;  several  somebodies  to  take  anything 
like  proper  care  of  the  sick  ones.  And,  mother, 
I'm  as  able  as  you  are;  you  look  dreadfully 
worn  and  ill." 

She  was  all  that ;  she  felt  the  chills  creep- 
ing over  her  at  that  moment,  and  her  bead 
seemed  ready  to  burst ;  her  heart  also. 


MILDRED   KEITH.  325 

Oh,  she  had  need  of  all  the  comfort  and 
support  of  the  words  she  had  pointed  out  to 
Mildred,  and  of  the  exhortation  contained 
therein. 

"  My  soul,  wait  thou  only  upon  God ;  for 
my  expectation  is  from  him.  He  only  is  my 
rock  and  my  salvation ;  he  is  my  defense,  I 
shall  not  be  moved.  In  God  is  my  salvation 
and  my  glory ;  the  rock  of  my  strength  and 
my  refuge  is  in  God." 

She  whispered  them  to  herself,  as  with 
clasped  hands  and  closed  eyes,  she  sank  heavily 
into  a  chair,  half  unconscious  of  what  she  was 
doing. 

Rupert  sprang  to  her  side,  thinking  she 
was  about  to  faint,  and  Ada,  with  the  same 
thought  in  her  mind,  set  down  the  plate  she 
was  wiping  and  hurried  to  her  also. 

They  caught  the  last  words.  " « The  rock 
of  my  strength  and  my  refuge  is  in  God.' " 

"  Yes,  mother,  dear,"  sobbed  the  lad,  put- 
ting his  arms  around  her,  "  and  oh,  you  know 
It's  a  refuge  that  will  never  fail.  '  Therefore 
will  we  not  fear  though  the  earth  be  removed 
and  though  the  mountains  be  carried  into  the 
midst  of  the  sea.'  '  Man's  extremity  is  God'e 
opportunity,'  and  He  will  help  us  through  thii 
strait  somehow." 


386  MILDRED   KEITH. 

"Yes,"  she  whispered,  '  and  though  it 
should  be  by  death,  what  is  that  but  going 
home?  To  those  of  us  who  love  the  Lord  and 
trust  in  His  imputed  righteousness,"  she  added 
looking  earnestly,  questioningly  into  his  face. 

"  Mother,  I  believe  I  do,"  he  said,  "  though 
I  have  never  told  you  so  before." 

"  Now  I  can  bear  it,"  she  whispered,  closing 
her  eyes  again,  while  a  sweet  smile  played 
about  her  lips. 

Her  head  dropped  heavily  on  her  son's 
shoulder. 

"  Oh,"  shrieked  Ada,  "  she's  dying  1  moth- 
er's dying  I" 

"  Hush  !"  cried  Kupert  sternly,  thinking  of 
the  mischief  her  cry  might  work  should  it  reach 
the  ears  of  the  sick  ones,  "  she  has  only  fainted. 
A  tumbler  of  water  ;  quick,  quick,  Ada !" 

As  the  terrified  child  hastened  to  do  hie 
bidding,  Mildred  came  flying  from  the  inner 
room,  her  face  pale,  her  whole  frame  trembling 
with  affright. 

"  Mother  1"  the  word  came  in  tones  of 
igony  from  her  pale,  quivering  lips. 

"It's  only  a  faint,"  said  Rupert  hoarsely. 
li  Help  rae  to  lay  her  down  and  loosen  hei 
clothes.  And  haven't  you  hartshorn  or  some 
thing  whatever  the 


MILDRED  RBl'lH.  327 

"  Yes ,  Ada,  quick,  quick !  the  bottle  of 
smelling  salts!  it's  on  the  stand  by  father's  oed- 
lide.  O,  mother,  mother  !  you  too !  what's  to 
become  of  us?  O,  Rupert,  she's  just  killed 
with  nursing  I  and  I  couldn't  help  it." 

"  Of  course  you  couldn't ;  you  are  nearly 
killed  yourself,"  he  said,  his  tears  falling  almost 
as  fast  as  hers,  while  between  them  they  half 
carried,  half  dragged  the  insensible  form  into 
the  adjoining  room  and  laid  it  tenderly  down 
upon  a  lounge. 

Poor  children  I  so  utterly  overwhelmed 
were  they  by  their  mother's  helpless  condition, 
superadded  to  all  the  other  causes  for  anxiety, 
perplexity  and  distress,  so  taken  up  with  efforts 
for  her  restoration  to  consciousness,  that  they 
tjarcely  heard  the  cries  of  the  sick  little  ones, 
who  could  not  understand  why  they  were  thug 
left  alone,  or  the  calls  of  their  father  who  had 
roused  from  sleep  and  missed  his  gentle  nurse  ; 
nor  did  they  notice  who  it  was  that  came  ID 
through  the  open  kitchen  door  and  silently  as- 
sisted them,  raising  the  window  blind  and 
sprinkling  water  on  the  still  white  face. 

At  last  Mrs.  Keith's  eyes  unclosed  and  sh« 
ttarted  up  asking  faintly  "  What  is  it  f  have  I 
been  ill  ?"  then  fell  back  again  completely  ex- 
hausted. 


328  MILDRED   KE1TE. 

"  You  were  faint,  another  dear,"  said  Mil 
dred,  vainly  striding  to  steady  her  voice,  "  bnt 
lie  still  fora  while  and  I  hope  you  will  get  ovei 
it.  You  have  been  doing  toe  much  and  must 
rest  now." 

"  Kest,  child  !  how  can  I  ?  There  is  yom 
father  calling  me.  And  the  children  are  cry- 
ing." 

She  started  up  again  but  with  the  same  re 
suit  as  before. 

"  My  poor  sick  husband !  my  little  ailing 
childrer  \  what  is  to  become  of  you?"  she 
sighed,  tears  stealing  from  beneath  the  closed 
eyelids  and  trickling  down  the  pale  cheeks. 

"  Mother,  I  will  do  my  best,"  sobbed  Mil- 
dred ;  "  only  lie  and  rest  yourself." 

"  And  I  am  here  to  assist,  and  able  to  do  it/ 
said  a  somewhat  harsh,  discordant  voice,  though 
there  was  in  it  a  tone  of  kindness  too. 

Then  they  looked  up  and  saw  standing  near, 
the  stiff,  angular  figure  of  Daman's  Drybread. 

"You?"  Mildred  exclaimed  in  utter  sur- 
prise. 

"  Yes,  I,  Miss  Keith.  Did  you  think  there 
was  none  of  the  milk  of  human  kindness  in  me  ? 
My  school's  broke  up  by  this  pestilence,  and 
only  one  of  our  family  has  took  the  fever  yet ; 
so  when  I  heard  that  you  were  nea-'y  all  down 


MILDRED  KE1TR.  329 

sick  here,  and  your  girl  had  gone  :  ff  and  left 
you,  I  said  to  myself,  '  There's  a  duty  for  you 
there,  Damaris  Drybread  ;  go  right  away  and 
do  it'  And  I  came." 

"  And  it  was  very,  very  kind  in  you,"  Mil 
dred  said,  extending  her  hand.  "  I  have  hardly 
deserved  it  from  you,  for  I've  judged  you, 
harshly." 

"Well,  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  I'd  done  the 
same  to  you,"  Damaris  answered  coldly,  taking 
the  offered  hand  only  to  drop  it  again  instantly. 
"  But  that's  neither  here  nor  there ;  and  I  don't 
ask  no  thanks.  I'm  only  tryin'  to  be  a  good 
Samaritan  to  you,  because  we're  told,  '  Go,  and 
do  thou  likewise.' '' 

The  cries  of  the  children  had  become  BO 
piteous  and  importunate  that  Mildred  rushed 
away  to  attend  to  them. 

Her  father's  calls  had  ceased  and  as  the  lit- 
tle ones  quieted  down  she  could  hear  a  manly 
voice  speaking  to  him  in  gentle  soothing  tones. 

"  It  is  the  doctor "  she  thought,  with  ao 
emotion  somewhat  akin  to  pleasure  ;  he  was  so 
sorely  needed  and  had  not  called  since  the  pre- 
nous  night ;  but  on  going  in  she  found  Mr. 
Lord  by  the  bedside. 

He  turned,  showing  a  face  full  of  sympathy 
and  concern,  and  held  out  his  hand. 


830  MILDRED   KEITH. 

*'  This  is  kind,"  she  said,  putting  hew 
into  it. 

"  My  poor  child  1"  he  responded  feelingly, 
raising  the  hand  to  his  lips  in  his  absent  way 
f<  my  heart  aches  for  you.  And  there  are  many 
others  in  like  affliction  ;  many  others  !  all  round 
the  country  people  are  sick,  dying;  many  of 
them  simply  for  lack  of  suitable  nourishment." 

The  tears  rolled  down  his  manly  cheeks  as 
,he  spoke,  and  the  sight  of  them  did  not  lower 
him  in  the  girl's  esteem. 

"  And  what  can  I  do  ?"  he  went  on.  "  I 
know  nothing  of  cooking;  I  can  only  carry 
them  crackers  to  sustain  their  poor  bodies,  and 
try  to  feed  their  souls  with  the  bread  of  life.  I 
feel  for  them  all ;  but  for  you — O,  Mildred, 
dear  girl,  what  can  I  do  to  help  and  comfort 
you  in  this  extremity  I" 

"  We  have  need  of  nurses.    Mother — " 

But  with  that  word  she  broke  into  uncon 
trollable  weeping ;  suppressed,  for  fear  of  dig- 
turbing  her  father,  who  had  fallen  into  a  doze- 
but  shaking  her  whole  frame  with  its  violence. 

It  distressed  her  listener.  He  made  a  step 
tc  ward  her,  a  gesture  as  if  he  would  fold  her 
in  his  arms,  but  drew  hastily  back,  blushing 
and  confused  as  the  door  opened  and  Dr.  Grange 
came  in. 


Cjmpter 


"  All  love  la  sweet, 

Given  or  returned.    Common  as  light  Is  lov«, 
And  its  familiar  voice  -wearies  not  ever." 


"  AH,  good  morning,  my  dear  child  1  Good 
morning,  sir,"  the  doctor  said  in  an  undertone, 
giving  his  hand  to  Mildred  and  the  minister  in 
turn.  Then  with  an  anxious  glance  at  the  bed 
"  How  is  he  ?  sleeping  now,  I  see.  How  did 
he  rest  through  the  night  ?" 

"  Not  very  well,  and — " 

"  Your  mother  ?  where  is  she  ?  not  down 
too?"  with  almost  a  groan,  as  he  read  the  truth 
in  the  young  girl's  face. 

Mildred  led  him  to  her.  She  lay  on  the 
lounge  still,  with  closed  eyes  and  face  of  deathly 
pallor,  her  cheek  resting  against  the  dark  curls 
of  Rupert,  who  had  thrown  himself  on  the  floor 
by  her  side,  and  laid  his  head  on  the  same  pil- 
low, while  he  held  one  of  her  hands,  caressing 
it  tenderly. 


332  MILDRED   KEITH. 

His  cheeks  were  burning,  his  eyes  sparkling 
with  fever. 

The  doctor  glanced  from  one  to  the  other. 
"  Ought  to  be  in  bed  ;  both  of  you.  Go  my 
boy,  at  once ;  you  are  not  fit  to  be  here." 

"  I  can't,  sir,  indeed ;  I'm  needed  to  take 
care  of  the  others." 

"  You  will  help  most  by  giving  up  at  once," 
gaid  the  doctor ;  "  otherwise  you  will  make 
yourself  so  sick  as  to  need  a  great  deal  of 
attention." 

"  Yes,  go,  my  dear  boy,"  whispered  Mrs, 
Keith. 

"I  will,  since  you  bid  me,  darling  mother/ 
he  answered,  pressing  his  hot  lips  to  her  cheek, 
then  tottering  from  the  room. 

She  looked  after  him  with  sad,  pitying 
eyes,  "  So  sick,  and  your  mother  not  able  to 
nurse  you !  Mildred,  my  poor  dear  child,  how 
are  you  to  stand  it  ?"  she  sighed,  turning  them 
upon  her  daughter's  face  as  she  bent  over  her. 

"  Try  not  to  be  troubled  and  anxious,  my 
dear  madam,"  said  the  doctor,  "  the  more  quiet 
and  free  from  care  you  can  keep  your  mind,  the 
better  for  you.  Trust  the  Lord  that  all  will 
come  out  right." 

"  I  will ;  lie  is  all  my  hope  and  trust  •  foi 
myself  and  for  my  dear  ones,"  she  answered, 


MILDRED   KEITH.  333 

with  almost  her  accustomed  cheerfulness. 
"  Things  look  very  dark  but  '  behold,  the  Lord's 
hand  is  not  shortened  that  it  cannot  save; 
neither  his  ear  heavy  that  it  cannot  hear.'  " 

"  And  he  has  sent  ui  some  help  already,' 
observed  Mildred ;  "  from  a  most  unexpected 
quarter." 

Damaris  came  in  at  that  moment'  from  the 
kitchen,  saluted  the  doctor  in  her  usual  formal 
way,  and  turning  to  Mrs.  Keith,  remarked, 

"  I  hope  you're  not  going  to  be  very  sick ; 
but  you'd  ought  to  go  to  bed  for  to-day,  any- 
how.  Don't  you  say  so,  doctor  2" 

"I  do  most  emphatically,"  answered  the 
physician,  who  had  seated  himself  at  the  table 
and  was  busied  in  measuring  out  medicines; 
"  and  I'm  very  glad,  Miss  Damaris,  to  see  you 
here." 

"  It  appeared  to  be  my  duty  to  come,"  she 
said,  looking  not  ill-pleased ;  "  I'm  no  great 
nurse,  but  I  can  do  housework  and  cook  foi 
sick  or  well ;  and  them  things  is  as  necessary 
is  the  nursing." 

"  Certainly,"  said  Dr.  Grange,  and  went  on 
to  give  directions  to  her  concerning  the  proper 
food  for  his  patients,  and  to  Mildred  in  regard 
to  the  administering  of  medicines  and  othei 
remedies. 


834  MILDRED    KEITH. 

He  made  nis  round  among  them,  pronounced 
Zillah  much  better,  Mr.  Keith  slightly  to.  He 
was  silent  as  to  the  little  boys,  and  Mildred'a 
heart  was  full  of  anguish  as  she  perceived  from 
his  countenance,  or  thought  she  did,  that  their 
recovery  was  still  very  doubtful. 

Mr.  Lord  had  remained  at  Mr.  Keith's  bed- 
side while  the  doctor  and  Mildred  were  absent 
from  the  room,  and  was  still  there  when  they 
returned.  He  looked  perplexed  and  ill  at  ease. 

"  I  have  no  skill  in  nursing,"  he  said ; 
"  never  ha\re  had  any  experience  ;  am  in  fact  a 
very  unsuitable  person  for  the  task ;  being  very 
absent  minded,  as  you  both  know.  But  if  I 
can  be  of  any  service,  I — Miss  Mildred,  I  can 
sit  here  and  hand  anything  he  asks  for,  call  you 
if  he  needs  your  assistance,  and  give  the  medi- 
cines, if  you  will  be  good  enough  to  remind  me 
when  it  is  time  to  do  so." 

The  offer  was  gladly  accepted  and  the  new 
nurse  entered  upon  his  duties  immediately. 

Yet  even  with  these  new  and  unexpected 
helps  it  was  clearly  impossible  for  the  weary 
girl  to  give  proper  attention  to  five  very  sick 
persons,  and  two  who  were  barely  convalescent. 
Her  heart  was  overwhelmed ;  the  burden 
heavier  than  she  could  bear. 

But  blessed  be  God,  the  God  of  Israel    hii 


MILDRED    KEITH.  335 

people  need  not  bear  their  griefs  and  anxieties 
alone ;  he  bids  them  not. 

"  Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord,  and  he 
shall  sustain  thee."  "  Call  upon  me  in  the  day 
of  trouble ;  1  will  deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt 
glorify  me." 

These  and  other  like  great  and  precious 
promises  were  brought  home  with  power  and 
sweetness  to  Mildred's  mind  in  this  time  of  deep 
distress  and  anguish,  and  kept  her  from  sinking 
beneath  the  load. 

"  O  Lord  of  hosts,  blessed  i&  the  man  that 
trusteth  in  thee."  "  For  thou,  Lord,  wilt  bless 
the  righteous;  with  favor  wilt  thou  compass 
him  as  with  a  shield." 

There  seemed  no  earthly  friend  left  to  come 
to  Mildred's  aid ;  she  could  think  of  none. 
Claud ina  Chetwood  and  Lucilla  Grange  were 
both  themselves  lying  upon  sick  beds  ;  so  were 
all  her  lady  acquaintances  in  Pleasant  Plains 
except  such  as,  like  herself,  had  their  hands 
more  than  full  with  the  care  of  the  sick  in  theii 
own  families ;  and  Aunt  Wealthy  was  so  far, 
far  away  that  before  a  message  could  reach  her, 
they  might  all  be  in  their  graves. 

How  long  it  seemed  since  she  went  away  ! 
how  long  since  the  beginning  of  this  dreadful 
rickly  season  that  had,  as  it  were,  shut  hei 


336  MILDRED    KEITH. 

(Mildred)  away  from  all  pleasant  social  inter, 
course  with  her  young  companions  into  her  own 
little  world  of  trial  and  trouble  ! 

It  was  a  comfort  that  some  one  was  attend- 
teg  to  domestic  affairs,  some  one  sitting  with 
her  sick  father  and  Rupert,  who  now  shared  his 
bed  ;  but  ah,  she  could  not  more  than  half  at- 
tend to  the  pressing  needs  of  the  others. 

The  day  was  intensely  hot,  scarce  a  breath 
of  air  stirring  though  every  door  and  window 
stood  wide  open.  The  little  boys  feverish  and 
restless,  wanted  to  be  fanned  every  moment, 
and  called  almost  incessantly  for  "  cold  fresh 
water." 

The  others  craved  it,  too ;  and  it  could  be 
had  only  from  the  spring  at  the  foot  of  the 
steep  river  bank.  And  ice  being  an  unknown 
luxury  in  Pleasant  Plains  at  that  period,  it  could 
not  be  kept  eeol  for  any  length  of  time. 

She  did  not  feel  at  liberty  to  call  upon  eithef 
Miss  Drybread  or  Mr.  Lord  for  this  service, 
and  as  the  one  judged  it  unnecessary  that  tho 
water  should  be  brought  frequently  and  the 
other  was  too  absent-minded  to  think  of  offer- 
ing to  bring  it,  and  she  could  not  leave  her 
charges  to  go  herself,  even  if  her  strength  had 
been  equal  to  the  effort  in  addition  to  all  the 
other  demands  upon  it,,  she  could  but  endure 


MILDRED   KS1TH.  33? 

the  pain  of  seeing  the  loved  ones  suffer  from 
thirst. 

"  Water,  water,  cold  water,  Hilly,"  sobbed 
little  Don. 

"  This  is  cold  water,  dear,"  she  said  holding 
ft  cup  to  his  lips. 

"  No,  'tisn't  right  cold,"  he  fretted,  pushing 
it  away ;  "  it  doesn't  taste  good.  Oh,  send  some- 
body to  bring  cold,  cold  water  1" 

She  set  down  the  cup  and  burst  into  tears. 

Absorbed  in  her  grief  and  distress,  she  did 
not  hear  the  gate  gently  opened  and  shut  again, 
or  a  step  coming  up  the  path,  across  the  porch, 
through  the  hall  and  into  the  room  where  she 
eat  weeping  such  bitter  tears  as  she  had  never 
wept  beturc. 

But  it  was  a  cautious  tread  ;  as  of  one  who 
feared  to  disturb  the  sick,  as  was  the  fact.  With 
that  fear  before  his  eyes  Wallace  Orinsby  had 
taken  thought  even  to  come  in  slippered  feet. 

He  should  have  paused  at  the  room  door 
till  invited  to  enter,  but  forgot  everything  else 
at  sight  of  Mildred's  distress,  and  never  stopped 
till  he  was  close  at  her  side. 

"  O,  Mildred,  dear  Mildred,  what  is  it  ?  what 
can  I  do  to  help  and  comfort  you  ?"  he  said  in 
tones  tremulous  with  love  and  pity,  as  he  bent 
over  her  and  took  her  hand  in  his. 
15 


338  MILDRED   KEITH. 

She  started  with  surprise,  but  the  hand  wa« 
not  withdrawn,  and  the  lips  and  eyes  smiled 
faintly  through  the  rain  of  tears  as  she  looked 
up  into  his  noble  face  and  read  there  ardent 
affection  and  deep  sympathy  in  her  sorrow. 

"  Surely  you  will  let  me  help  you  in  thig 
dreadful  time  when  there's  no  more  proper  per- 
gon  to  doit?"  he  said  with  earnest  entreaty. 
"Why  should  we  care  for  conventionalities 
now  ?  You  are  weak  and  worn  out,  in  sore 
need  of  assistance ;  I  am  well  and  strong,  able 
and  more  than  willing  to  give  it.  Say,  may  1 
not  stay  here  by  your  side  and  help  with  this 
nursing  ?" 

"  Water,  cold  water  I"  sobbed  Don,  "oh,  go 
get  cold  water  for  me  and  Cyril." 

"  Yes,  Wallace,  Mr.  Ormsby,"  Mildred  said, 
the  tears  coursing  down  her  cheeks,  "  I  cannot 
sacrifice  them  to  conventionalities,  and  so  gladly 
accept  your  kind  offer  of  help." 

"Oh,  don't  talk!  go  get  water,  quick!" 
fretted  Don,  "  I  can't  wa^.  Milly,  what  makes 
yon  so  naughty  to  me  ?" 

Wallace  seized  a  pitcher  standing  near,  and 
hastened  to  the  spring.  He  was  no  stranger  to 
the  premises  and  knew  the  way. 

For  the  next  fortnight  he  had  what  he  con- 
sidered the  blessed  privilege  of  sharing  M;> 


MILDRED   KEITH.  339 

dred'e  burdens,  griefs  snd  cares ;  watching  with 
her  over  each  of  those  dear  ones  as  they  passed 
through  the  crisis  of  the  disease,  and  the  first 
stages  of  the  after  convalescence ;  for  they  all 
recovered  ;  a  fact  which  the  parents  and  older 
children  recognized  with  deep  heart-felt  grati- 
tude to  Him  to  whom  "  belong  the  issues  from 
death." 

Nor  did  they  forget  the  thanks  due  their 
earthly  helpers  and  friends.  The  minister  held 
a  warmer  place  than  before  in  the  hearts  of 
these  parishioners,  and  Damaris  Drybread  re- 
ceived a  substantial  reward  for  her  services; 
which,  as  she  was  dependent  upon  her  own  ex- 
ertions for  a  livelihood,  was  not  declined. 

That  fearful  sickly  season  passed  away ;  but 
not  soon  to  be  forgotten  by  the  survivors,  and 
comparative  health  and  prosperity  again  dawned 
upon  the  town  and  surrounding  country. 

The  Keiths  returned  to  their  old  busy  cheer- 
ful life,  and  Wallace  Ormsby,  beloved  by  the 
whole  family,  seemed  as  one  of  them.  Years 
of  ordinary  social  intercourse  could  not  have 
brought  him  into  so  close  an  intimacy  with 
them,  and  especially  with  Mildred,  as  those  two 
weeks  in  which  they  two  shared  the  toils,  the 
oares  and  anxieties  of  those  who  watch  by  beds 
of  sickness  that  may  end  in  death. 


340  MILDRED  KEITH. 

They  had  learned  to  know  each  other's 
faults  and  weaknesses,  strong  points  and  virtues, 
and  with  the  knowledge  their  mutual  esteem 
and  admiration  had  but  increased  ;  they  had 
been  warm  friends  before,  now  they  were — 
not  plighted  lovers,  Ormsby  had  not  spoken 
yet — but 

"  To  his  eye 

There  was  but  one  beloved  face  on  earth, 
And  that  was  shining  on  him." 


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